Project Sahyog: SC condones delay of 16 years in moving plea for Remission of Life Sentence

In line with the compassionate scheme of Project Sahyog, the Supreme Court recently condoned a delay of over 5888 days in filing a Special Leave Petition for the remission of a life sentence..The Bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan passed an order to this effect on Friday, after hearing initial submissions made by Advocates Shikhil Suri and Shiv Kumar Suri, who were engaged to appear on behalf of the petitioner as part of Project Sahyog..The Bench was informed that in this case, the accused was not to be blamed for being unable to approach the Court on time, on account of his having been incarcerated for 19 years. Taking note of the submission, and in view of Project Sahyog, the Bench allowed the prayer to condone the delay of over 5888 days – about sixteen years – in approaching the Court to challenge the life sentence..Accordingly, the Court has allowed the petitioner to move a representation for the remission of further imprisonment before the appropriate authority. This representation is to be considered and decided by the concerned authorities within three months..Project Sahyog had been initiated by the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee earlier this year to aid those unable to approach the Court on time owing to no fault of theirs. The Committee had also released a list of advocates who would render aid in such matters involving inordinate delay..In line with the same project, the Supreme Court had earlier allowed a delay of over 3000 days in a life sentence matter last month as well..Read the Order: