The court has the authority to direct expeditious trial in cases with pending hearings based on witness and document evaluation.

JUDGMENT

Dated this the 12^th day of December, 2025 This Original Petition, has been filed under Article

227 of the Constitution of India, by the petitioner, who has been arrayed as the 1^st accused in C.C. No.4/2016 on the of the Special Court (SPI/CBI), Thiruvananthapuram, seeking the following relief:

“I. Direct the Hon'ble Court of Special Judge (SPE/CBI), Thiruvananthapuram, to dispose off the C.C. No. 4/2016 on its file, expeditiously within a period of 3 months.

II. To permit the Petitioner to file the Original Petition (Criminal) without producing translation of vernacular documents marked as Exhibits in the Original Petition (Criminal).

III. Grant such other reliefs as may be prayed for and as the Hon’ble Court may deem fit to grant and circumstances of the case.”

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent.

3. Since expeditious disposal of C.C. No.4/2016 on the files of the Special Court (SPI/CBI), Thiruvananthapuram, is the prayer canvased, a report from the learned Special Judge was called for.

4. As per the report dated 10.12.2025, the learned Special Judge enlisted the total number of cases pending and the number of witnesses and documents in the present case highlighting that, atleast 35 to 45 working days would be required to complete the examination of witnesses and accordingly 6-8 months time sought for to dispose of the case. The report also would show that there are 115 witnesses and 907 documents including cheques, passbooks, files etc. Thus, it appears that the trial would take time as submitted by the learned Special Judge.

5. In consideration of the facts involved, this petition stands allowed, directing the learned Special Judge (SPI/CBI), Thiruvananthapuram to hear and dispose of C.C. No.4/2016, within a period of eight months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment as reported.

Registry is directed to forward a copy of this judgment to the Special Court, forthwith, for information and compliance.