The Supreme Court of India recently quashed a 35-year-old criminal case, holding that such extraordinary delay violates the fundamental right to speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution. In Kailash Chandra Kapri v. State of Uttar Pradesh, the Court observed that “quick justice is sine qua non of Article 21” and continuation of criminal proceedings for decades amounts to abuse of the legal process. The case involved minor offences relating to a police mess dispute dating back to 1989. The Supreme Court noted that despite repeated opportunities, the prosecution failed to examine even a single witness for over three decades. The Court emphasized that speedy trial is not only a constitutional guarantee but also a human right linked to dignity, fair trial, and personal liberty. The judgment reinforces that prolonged criminal trials cause mental harassment, social stigma, and denial of justice, especially in minor offences, and courts must intervene to prevent misuse of criminal proceedings.