Supreme Court Questions High Court’s Bail Duration Limitation
The Supreme Court has recently voiced its disapproval regarding a High Court order that imposed a specific time constraint on bail duration.
In the case “Ranjit Digal vs State of Odisha,” the apex court critically observed,
“Once the High Court came to the conclusion that the accused was entitled to bail, there was no reason to restrict the bail to the period of three months.”
Delving into the case’s background, the Orissa High Court had initially granted interim bail to the appellant, Ranjit Digal, on 14th October 2022. However, in a subsequent order dated 6th April 2023, while the High Court recognized the appellant’s entitlement to bail, it curiously chose to confine the bail’s duration to a mere three months. This decision to limit the bail period led the appellant to seek intervention from the Supreme Court, challenging the time-bound restriction.
Upon examining the matter, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal ruled in the appellant’s favor. They decisively set aside the High Court’s restrictive order, emphasizing that
“the order granting interim bail will continue to operate till the disposal of the case before the Trial Court.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling not only underscores the significance of ensuring that bail decisions are consistent with legal principles but also emphasizes the need for judicious discretion in such matters.
