Supreme Court Orders Quick Bail Decisions
The Supreme Court has directed courts across India to pronounce orders on bail applications either on the same day or by the next day. The direction is aimed at reducing uncertainty for undertrial prisoners and ensuring that questions of personal liberty are decided without unnecessary delay.
Supreme Court Bail Order Timeline
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued the nationwide direction while hearing a matter linked to delays in the pronouncement of judgments by the Jharkhand High Court.
The court said bail matters must be treated with urgency because they directly involve the fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. The order is expected to benefit undertrial prisoners whose release is often delayed due to pending bail decisions or delayed communication of court orders.
Bail Applications Must Be Decided Quickly
The Supreme Court said all courts must pronounce bail orders either on the same day or the next day. The bench invoked its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, which allows the apex court to pass directions necessary to ensure complete justice.
The direction will have binding effect on high courts and trial courts across the country. The court also noted that delays in bail orders can prolong incarceration even after hearings have taken place.
Reserved Judgments Must Follow Deadline
The Supreme Court also directed high courts to ensure that reserved judgments are delivered within three months. If a judgment is not pronounced within that period, the affected litigant may approach the chief justice of the concerned high court to seek relisting of the case before another bench.
The court also advised high court chief justices to issue confidential internal notes where delays in reserved orders are noticed, so that the judicial process can be expedited.
