The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed the death sentences of two men convicted in the 2019 rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Ludhiana, Punjab. The convicts, including the victim's cousin, were sentenced to death by a fast-track special court in March 2023. The court found significant flaws in the investigation and trial, particularly regarding the failure to properly inform the accused of incriminating evidence against them, as mandated by Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The court noted that these deficiencies could be remedied without causing prejudice to the accused or failing justice for the victim. The case has raised concerns about the efficiency of criminal trials in Punjab and Haryana, with the court suggesting that a five-year timeline for trials may be average. The retrial aims to ensure a fair process and address the critical lapses in the original proceedings.