Sahil Abdulsattar Mansuri vs. Safimahamad Fafirbhai Mansuri 2026 INSC 626 - Right To Speedy Trial - Prolonged Investigation

Constitution of India — Article 21 - Right to Speedy Trial — Justice delayed is justice denied. (Para 2) The right to a speedy and fair investigation is an intrinsic facet of the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under the Constitution (Para 11); it is incumbent upon constitutional courts to not remain mute spectators, when such prolonged investigations are brought to its notice (Para 13) [Context:The case concerns a criminal complaint alleging forgery of property documents in 2002, where despite an FSL report confirming forged signatures, the investigation and filing of a chargesheet have been delayed for nearly two decades. ]

Criminal Investigation - Incidents of losing Case records during an active investigation, have to be taken with utmost seriousness. Moreover, such incidents strike at the very core of the criminal justice system, rendering bonafide complaints inactionable. (Para 17)