The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged pendency of bail and anticipatory bail applications in several High Courts, calling it a serious threat to personal liberty. The Court warned that it may issue mandatory guidelines if High Court Chief Justices fail to ensure timely hearings in bail matters.
The Supreme Court has raised serious concern over the rising backlog of gangster and terror-linked cases in Delhi, urging urgent reforms and special courts for speedy trials. The Bench stressed that trials must finish within six months and said “the question of granting bail” should not arise if proceedings move on time.
The Bombay High Court emphasized that bail should be the norm in criminal cases, asserting that keeping individuals in jail without a trial constitutes pre-trial punishment. The court highlighted the urgent issue of overcrowded jails and underlined the essential principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
NEW DELHI: Today,(28th Jan): The Union government has decided not to act on the Supreme Court’s suggestion to create a separate law on bail. The government believes that the recent changes in criminal laws, especially the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which came into effect in July 2024, already address the concerns about pre-trial detention and related issues.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday (23rd Jan) expressed its dissatisfaction when a lawyer requested an adjournment in a criminal case. The Bench, comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, highlighted the prolonged incarceration of the lawyer’s client, emphasizing the need for prompt justice.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Madan Bhimrao Lokur emphasized concerns over judicial independence, systemic inefficiencies, and the impact of new laws on fundamental rights in India. He criticized delays in judicial appointments and highlighted issues like the overpopulation of undertrial prisoners. Justice Lokur advocated for greater accountability and transparency within the judiciary.
The Delhi High Court uncovered a lawyer’s forgery of a bail order, prompting a judicial uproar. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma initiated a case against the breach of legal trust, directing a police complaint. The Court is implementing stringent verification processes to ensure the authenticity of judicial documents, aiming to uphold integrity and trust in the judicial system.
