PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 25 -- The Allahabad high court has pulled up a trial court in Prayagraj for its "lethargic" handling of a 20-year-old criminal case, observing that a 73-year-old accused has been "victimised" due to routine adjournments and the prosecution's failure to produce even a single witness to date.

"The Judiciary, like all other organs of the state, is equally accountable to the people. The presiding officer of the trial court, therefore, has to realize his accountability to the common man," the court said.

Justice Vivek Kumar Singh directed the trial court to conclude the trial in which Shrish Kumar Malviya, the 73-year-old accused, within one month or face disciplinary proceedings.

The applicant has been facing prosecution un...