(1) THIS writ petition has come up today before us for directions since there are a large number of prisoners in the State of Bihar who have been in jail for more than 12 months after the commitment of their cases to the Court of Session and there are also a considerable number of prisoners who have been injail for more than 18 months without any enquiry or trial having commenced in the courts of Magistrates. We are glad to learn that the four petitioners whose case is set in motion have been acquitted after a trial which was denied to them for a period of eight years. Their acquittal highlights the tremendous amount of misery and suffering which these four young boys who have been ultimately found to be innocent must have undergone in jail for a period of eight years without anyone being there to look after them or to take care of their interest. We are indeed thankful to Dr. (Miss) Vasudha for having drawn our attention to the unfortunate case of these four petitioners. Now ordinarily, we would not have proceeded further with the matter after the immediate relief which was sought by the petitioners was obtained and they were acquitted but the statements which have been pl