India, July 8 -- The Delhi high court has raised concerns over delays by the state in filing appeals within the stipulated time, observing that laxity in challenging adverse orders jeopardises a victim's right to fair complete adjudication of allegations and erodes their faith in the criminal justice system.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in her July 4 ruling (released on Monday), made the observation while dealing with Delhi Police's plea seeking condonation of a 325-day delay in filing an appeal against a trial court's January 2023 order discharging a man in a murder case.

In its plea, the Delhi Police, represented by additional public prosecutor Manoj Pant, attributed the inordinate delay to administrative formalities, movement of fil...