The Supreme Court has sharply criticized the practice of delaying bail applications for extended periods, emphasizing that even a single day’s delay in deciding such matters infringes on the fundamental rights of citizens.
In an order passed on Friday, a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan underscored the critical importance of personal liberty and the need for timely justice.
The court stated, “It has been observed by this court that even a single day’s delay in deciding the bail application adversely affects the fundamental rights of citizens.”
The bench further expressed disapproval of the practice of leaving bail applications pending for years, highlighting the negative impact this has on individuals seeking justice.
The bench’s remarks were made while hearing the case of a man whose bail application had been pending before the Allahabad High Court since August of the previous year.
The petitioner, in his plea, claimed that his bail matter had been adjourned repeatedly without any substantive progress or hearings. His application, he said, had been left unresolved for months, delaying his right to a fair hearing.
The Supreme Court noted that the bail application had been scheduled for a hearing on November 11, 2024, by the Allahabad High Court. In light of the undue delay, the Supreme Court urged the High Court to prioritize the case.
The bench said, “We request the judge, before whom the matter is placed, to take up the matter on the same date and decide it as expeditiously as possible and, in any case, within a period of two weeks from November 11, 2024.”
The Court disposed of the plea with this direction, stressing the urgency of resolving bail matters without unnecessary adjournments. The order serves as a reminder of the crucial need for courts to respect the constitutional rights of individuals, particularly when it comes to ensuring timely access to justice.
The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the growing concern over the backlog of cases and the need for a more efficient judicial process that upholds the rights of the accused without unnecessary delay.
By stressing the importance of personal liberty and expedient legal processes, the Supreme Court has once again drawn attention to the need for timely adjudication, particularly in bail matters, to avoid causing undue hardship to individuals awaiting justice.
