W.P.(CRL) 2032/2023 1 $~80 * IN THEHIGH COURTOF DELHIAT NEW DELHI + W.P.(CRL) 2032/2023 VIJAY POPLI .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Harpreet Singh and Mr. Gagan Kumar Singhal, Advocates versus SIDHARTH PAREEK & ORS. .....Respondent Through: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN O R D E R % 16.01.2026 1. Matter has been placed on the basis of office-note. 2. This is a disposed of petition and on 03.07.2025, while disposing of the present petition, learned Trial Court was directed to conclude the trial in a time-bound manner. Para-13 of said order reads as under:- “13. Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of with the following directions: 13.1. The trial in the impugned compliant must be positively concluded within a period of four months from today; 13.2. The Trial Court is further directed to ensure that no unnecessary adjournments are granted on account of routine grounds, including personal inconvenience of counsel, unless it is absolutely unavoidable and supported by cogent reasons to be recorded in writing; 13.3. Nonetheless, any adjournment sought by the Complainant, or any adjournment occasioned by his conduct, shall entail a cost of ₹25,000/-, payable to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority; 13.4. Likewise, any delay or adjournment sought by any of the accused persons shall similarly attract a cost of ₹25,000/-; 13.5. The Trial Court shall not grant any concession or indulgence in respect of these costs under any circumstances; 13.6. On the next date before the Trial Court, i.e., 23rd July, 2025, the Trial This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/01/2026 at 13:18:11 W.P.(CRL) 2032/2023 2 Court shall, in consultation with counsel for both sides, formulate a comprehensive schedule for recording the statements of all remaining witnesses and conclusion of trial. The counsels shall strictly abide by this schedule and shall not seek any modification or deferment thereof; 13.7. The Trial Court shall submit a compliance report to this Court through the Principal District & Sessions Judge after the expiry of the stipulated four-month period, confirming the status of the trial and specifying whether the timeline has been adhered to; 13.8. In the event of any unjustified non-compliance with this timeline by either party, it shall be open to the Trial Court to consider proceeding under Section 256 Cr.P.C. (in case of absence of the Complainant) or to take such steps as may be warranted in law against the defaulting party, including issuance of bailable or non-bailable warrants as deemed appropriate. 3. Now request has been received from learned Trial Court seeking extension of time till 30th April, 2026. It is mentioned that due to unavoidable reason and despite the fact that case was listed on short dates, the Court was constrained to grant adjournments considering the old age of the witnesses and on some occasions, adjournment was granted considering the bereavement in the family of counsel for accused. 4. Learned counsel for accused is present. 5. Keeping in mind the overall facts and reason given by the learned Trial Court, time stands extended till 30th April, 2026. However, learned Trial Court is requested to keep in mind the aforesaid directions as contained in order dated 03.07.2025 and make all possible efforts to dispose of the matter on or before 30.04.2026. 6. This order be also communicated to the learned Trial Court by the Registry. MANOJ JAIN, J JANUARY 16, 2026/dr/sy This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/01/2026 at 13:18:11