Supreme Court Voices Concern Over Delayed Bail Hearings in High Courts
In a significant development highlighting judicial inefficiencies, the Supreme Court of India on Monday expressed profound disappointment over the extended pendency of bail and anticipatory bail petitions across various high courts. The apex court emphasized that matters concerning personal liberty must be prioritized and disposed of swiftly.
Bench Criticizes Routine Adjournments and Delays
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi took strong exception to the routine adjournments and prolonged delays in hearing bail-related petitions. The bench noted that such matters were pending for months in several high courts, including Punjab and Haryana High Court, as well as Patna High Court.
The bench stated, "We are extremely disappointed over the manner in which matters relating to personal liberty of individuals are dealt with by the high courts." This remark came after the court learned that bail applications and pleas for suspension of sentence after conviction were being adjourned repeatedly without timely hearings.
Chief Justice Highlights Importance of Timely Bail Decisions
Chief Justice Surya Kant acknowledged that delays might stem from overflowing dockets or other urgent matters requiring judicial attention. However, he underscored that nothing can be more important than deciding pleas for grant of bail, as these directly impact the fundamental right to liberty enshrined in the Constitution.
The CJI recalled that earlier petitions had sought directions for high courts to expedite bail decisions, with some even requesting urgent listing of such cases. Despite the Supreme Court's previous indications of timelines for deciding bail pleas, the bench observed that the problem persisted.
Supreme Court's Directive to High Court Chief Justices
The bench expressed equal concern over situations like in Patna High Court, where bail applications reportedly remain unlisted for hearing for months. It urged the chief justices of all high courts to take remedial measures to address this critical issue.
While recognizing that listing and prioritization of cases fall under the exclusive prerogative of chief justices as masters of rosters, the bench asserted that the Supreme Court has a "bounden duty" to lay down guidelines for expeditious hearings when necessary. This underscores the apex court's supervisory role in ensuring judicial efficiency.
Call for Detailed Reports on Pending Bail Petitions
To tackle the problem systematically, the Supreme Court has directed the registrars general of all high courts to furnish detailed reports within four weeks. These reports must include:
- All pending bail petitions
- Anticipatory bail applications
- Pleas for suspension of sentence
- Cases pending since January 1, 2025
This directive aims to create transparency and accountability, enabling the Supreme Court to monitor progress and ensure that high courts adhere to timelines for disposing of liberty-related matters.
The Supreme Court's intervention highlights a growing judicial concern over delays in bail proceedings, which can have severe consequences for individuals awaiting justice. By emphasizing speedy disposal, the court reinforces the principle that personal liberty must not be compromised by procedural delays.
