SC asks Delhi HC Chief Justice to ensure time-bound trial in racial discrimination cases
The Bench was hearing a petition seeking a time-bound trial in cases of racial discrimination against people from the north-east
Favouring a holistic policy, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi High Court Chief Justice to ensure time-bound trial in sensitive cases, including those relating to racial discrimination against people from the north-east.
"It seems to us that such matters require out of turn adjudication. Consequently, we dispose of this petition, without expressing anything on merits or allegations, with a request to Hon'ble Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to consider such issues on administrative side and take holistic policy decision, which may ensure a productive timeline for adjudication of such sensitive trials on an out of turn basis,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said.
“It goes without saying that the Hon'ble Chief Justice of High Court or the administrative committee of High Court may, if deemed appropriate, issue administrative instructions to the Presiding Officer in this case for expeditious disposal of the trial,” said the Bench which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi.
The Bench was hearing a petition seeking a time-bound trial in cases of racial discrimination against people from the north-east.
On behalf of petitioner Modoyia Kayina, senior counsel Pradeep Rai talked about a 2014 case in which 19-year-old Nido Tania, a student from Arunachal Pradesh, was beaten to death in Delhi. The trial took a long time even in cases where investigations were complete and chargesheets were filed, he pointed out.
"Even when the investigation is conducted, and a chargesheet has been filed, the stipulated time frame is not being followed. I am only on this issue — timebound trial. Investigation conducted, chargesheet filed...pending for 3 years, 4 years...students go back in between," Rai submitted.
Following Tania's death, the Ministry of Home Affairs had set up the MP Bezbaruah Committee which made several recommendations to deal with racial discrimination against people from the north east which have been implemented only partially.
Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, was stabbed to death on December 26, 2025, in an alleged racially motivated attack in Dehradun in the presence of his younger brother Michael.
On February 18, the top court had said identifying persons on grounds of race, region, gender and caste would amount to treading a regressive path.
However, it had refused to entertain a PIL seeking to prevent discrimination and violence against citizens from the north-east and other regions and asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to consider and refer the PIL to an appropriate authority.
