Honble SHETHNA, J. – Heard learned counsel for the parties. Admit. (2). Issue notice to the respondent. Mr. Goyal, learned P.P. accepts notices for the State. (3). This is a case of protracted trial. A criminal case is pending against the accused petitioner since 1979 i.e. more than 18 years from today which cannot be allowed to continue any more. (4). Considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, this misc. petition is allowed and the proceedings pending against the petitioner-accused be-fore the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Fatehpur Shekhawati, District Sikar in Criminal Case No. 348/1996 (Old No. 28/81 (State vs. Ram Nath & Anr.) are hereby quashed. (5). This petition is allowed accordingly.