New Delhi, Oct. 30 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday lamented the persistent delay in framing charges in criminal trials across the country, observing that such hold-ups are among the primary causes of stagnation in the justice system.

Indicating that the problem may require a uniform corrective mechanism, the court said it would examine whether nationwide guidelines should be issued to ensure that trial courts adhere to the statutory timelines mandated under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

A bench of justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria noted that Section 251(b) of the BNSS requires charges in cases exclusively triable by a sessions court to be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.

"We have noticed, time and agai...