India, Dec. 29 -- The High Court of J&K and Ladakh on Monday modified the sentence of a 70-year-old woman convicted in a 1979 culpable homicide case, citing the "ordeal of prolonged proceedings for over 46 years", her advanced age, and deteriorating health.

A bench of Justice Sanjay Parihar, while disposing of a criminal appeal filed by the woman Shameema Begum, observed that the case exemplifies systemic delays in the criminal justice system.

The incident occurred on July 10, 1979, while the trial concluded after more than 30 years in 2009, and the appeal remained pending for another 16 years.

"This case bears testimony to the systemic delay in the disposal of criminal cases. The appellant (woman) was convicted in relation to an incid...