There has been a change for the better in terms of the time cases have traditionally taken for a final resolution from courts. High profile cases tend to take longer however your run of the mill cases reach a resolution far quicker. In criminal cases, the time taken for the original judgement is not that long. However, appeals can drag on for an eternity.

Defamation is the opposite. The more high profile it is, the sooner you are likely to get a resolution. In most cases a settlement is arrived at before things get out of hand. I have a certain client that has one of the most recognizable brands this country has ever had. My office files defamation suits on behalf of this company practically on a weekly basis & we have been doing this for over a decade. The average time for a resolution in these cases is 2-3 years.

If the FIR against Mishra is quashed then he has all the ingredients to file both a civil & criminal defamation suit against a number of parties. Given the nature of this case, I don't expect it to take more than 3-4 years, unless a settlement is arrived at before that time.