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Supreme Court delivers reserved verdict in 2 years, breaks its 3-month limit
India🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

Supreme Court delivers reserved verdict in 2 years, breaks its 3-month limit

The Supreme Court of India delivered a verdict in a long-pending case against Sanofi India Limited over alleged corruption and cheating, taking over two years to pronounce the judgment after it was reserved on May 15, 2024. This delay contrasts with the court's own directive issued three months earlier, which set a three-month deadline for delivering reserved judgments. The judgment outlines criteria for holding corporations criminally liable, emphasizing the need for evidence linking natural persons to alleged offenses. The case had been pending for over seven years, with proceedings stalled since 2019. The delayed verdict highlights concerns about judicial efficiency, especially against the backdrop of new guidelines aimed at reducing case backlogs.

The Supreme Court criticized the Odisha government for delaying the processing of a remission plea filed by Dara Singh, stating that the delay could not be tolerated. During a recent hearing, the court expressed concern over the prolonged administrative process and ordered the Odisha government to provide an update on the status of the petition by September 17. This directive followed the court's earlier August 19 order, which mandated timely resolution of the matter. The court’s intervention highlights ongoing challenges in the administration of justice, particularly concerning the handling of petitions related to prisoners' rights. While the specific case of Dara Singh underscores administrative inefficiencies, broader issues of judicial delay have recently drawn attention. A separate ruling by a Supreme Court bench revealed that a judgment reserved on May 15, 2024, was finally delivered over two years later, surpassing the court’s own imposed three-month deadline for delivering reserved judgments. This extended delay contrasts sharply with the court’s previous efforts to enforce stricter timelines for case resolutions. In May, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued directives aimed at reducing judicial backlogs, emphasizing the need to uphold litigants’ rights, especially in cases involving personal liberty. These guidelines required high courts to finalize decisions within three months of reserving a judgment and introduced mechanisms to monitor and address delays. The Sanofi India Limited case, which involved allegations of corruption and cheating, exemplifies the complexity of long-standing legal disputes. The case had been pending for over seven years, with proceedings in the Bengaluru CBI court stalled since 2019. The Supreme Court’s 99-page judgment outlined criteria for holding corporate entities criminally liable, clarifying that while companies can be prosecuted, there must be sufficient evidence linking natural persons to the alleged offenses. The court emphasized that mere allegations of corporate wrongdoing are insufficient; there must be prima facie evidence connecting individuals to the offense and demonstrating that the mental state necessary for criminal liability is not implausible. Despite these legal clarifications, the prolonged delay in delivering the verdict raises questions about the effectiveness of internal mechanisms designed to expedite case resolution. Recent instances of similar delays suggest that the issue of judicial backlog persists, prompting calls for continued reform. As the Odisha government faces scrutiny over its handling of Dara Singh’s case, the judiciary continues to grapple with balancing procedural rigor and the urgent needs of those awaiting resolution.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Hindustan Times logoHindustan TimesIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 789/8/2026
Supreme Court delivers reserved verdict in 2 years, breaks its 3-month limit

The Supreme Court of India delivered a verdict in a long-pending case against Sanofi India Limited over alleged corruption and cheating, taking over two years to pronounce the judgment after it was reserved on May 15, 2024. This delay contrasts with the court's own directive issued three months earlier, which set a three-month deadline for delivering reserved judgments. The judgment outlines criteria for holding corporations criminally liable, emphasizing the need for evidence linking natural persons to alleged offenses. The case had been pending for over seven years, with proceedings stalled since 2019. The delayed verdict highlights concerns about judicial efficiency, especially against the backdrop of new guidelines aimed at reducing case backlogs.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the judicial delay issue as a systemic concern without overtly criticizing or praising any political faction. While it notes the contradiction between the court's self-imposed deadlines and its own prolonged decision-making, it does not frame the issue through a partisan lens. S

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a Supreme Court judgment regarding corporate criminal liability, citing the date the verdict was reserved (May 15, 2024) and the details of the case against Sanofi India. It mentions the length of the judgment (99 pages) and the legal principles established. While no primary s

Why objectivity (78): The tone is generally neutral, presenting the facts of the case and the court's reasoning. However, there is a slight editorial tone in phrases like 'prescription for judicial delay has run into an uncomfortable question of its own,' which suggests a critical perspective toward the court's performan

Deccan Herald logoDeccan HeraldIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 559/8/2026
'You can’t keep it lingering': Supreme Court raps Odisha govt over delay in Dara Singh’s remission plea

The Supreme Court criticized the Odisha government for delaying action on a remission plea filed by Dara Singh, a prisoner seeking early release. The court had previously ordered the government to respond by August 19 but noted that no decision had been made as of September 8, 2026. The ruling highlights concerns about administrative delays in processing legal petitions related to prisoners' rights. The case underscores broader issues of judicial oversight and bureaucratic efficiency in the state's legal system.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the Supreme Court's criticism of the Odisha government without overtly favoring any political ideology. It focuses on the procedural aspects of the legal process and does not take a clear stance on the merits of Dara Singh's case or the policies governing囚犯的

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (55): The article has a very limited scope and appears to be cut off. The tone is not clearly biased, but the incomplete nature of the content prevents meaningful evaluation of objectivity. The phrasing 'You can’t keep it lingering' may suggest a subtle critique of bureaucratic delays, but this is specula

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