Noting that the accused seen in the video and linked to DNA evidence had already been granted bail, and that the applicant had spent two and a half years in custody with only seven of thirty-one witnesses examined, the Delhi High Court held that his case prima facie stood on a better footing and granted bail despite his having been declared a proclaimed offender.
With 40 of 120 witnesses examined and the appellant in custody since December 2018, the Delhi High Court granted bail in an NIA case, holding that a High Court must decide on the law as it stands even though the interplay between Article 21 and Section 43D(5) of the UAPA has been referred to a larger Bench.
The Supreme Court of India reiterated that bail, not prolonged detention, should remain the norm even under the UAPA, while granting relief to Syed Iftikhar Andrabi and expressing reservations over denial of bail to Umar Khalid.
The Supreme Court questioned the NIA for relying on speeches from the 1990s while opposing Shabir Ahmed Shah’s bail in a terror funding case. The Bench asked how decades-old material recovered in 2019 could justify his continued detention of over six years.
Bombay High Court granted bail to activists Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case, citing parity with co-accused earlier enlarged on bail. The bench noted prolonged custody and remote prospects of an early trial commencing.
Today, On 5th January, Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said the Supreme Court must have had reasons for denying bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, but noted its judgments stress that long incarceration should weigh in favour of granting bail. He added that “there is no recompense for liberty once lost.”
New Delhi, March 25: The Delhi High Court has asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to a plea by Christian Michel James, an alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland money laundering case. James has requested the court to remove certain conditions imposed on him while granting bail.
The Bombay High Court granted bail to Mamta Yadav, accused of killing her child, after over six years in custody without trial progress. Justice Pitale emphasized her right to a speedy trial, citing constitutional guarantees. The prosecution’s claims and the case’s circumstantial evidence were discussed, highlighting the lack of witness testimonies.
In 2024, India’s Supreme Court dealt with numerous landmark rulings, focusing on personal liberty, places of worship disputes, and electoral reforms. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasized efficiency, reforming case backlogs. Notable cases included prohibitions on religious site surveys, striking down electoral bonds, and addressing environmental pollution. The court’s decisions significantly influenced legal frameworks and societal issues.
The Bombay High Court granted bail to 14 Muslim men accused of communal violence during the Ram Temple consecration celebrations, citing lack of evidence for premeditated conspiracy. Justice Jamadar noted insufficient proof of their involvement and deemed continued detention unwarranted. The court highlighted coincidental presence in the area, undermining claims of intent.
