In a significant step to expedite the disposal of bail applications ahead of the summer vacation, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has agreed to begin court proceedings an hour earlier—from 9 AM instead of the usual 10 AM—following a request by the High Court Bar Association.
The Bar Association, in a letter dated May 14, highlighted the growing pendency of bail applications and urged for early hearings. The letter noted, “Several requests have been received from members of the Bar requesting early disposal of bail applications listed before the summer vacation.”
Accordingly, the Association requested that judges assigned to the Criminal Roster consider commencing court work an hour early to address the urgent matters of individuals in custody.
Confirming the development, Gagandeep Jammu, Secretary of the High Court Bar Association, said on Thursday evening, “The judges have kindly accepted the request to address the backlog of bail applications for those who are in custody.”
He further informed that the Court has agreed to open additional slots to hear these urgent cases, with this special arrangement continuing until the summer break begins on June 1. “This initiative aims to avoid undue delays and long adjournments,” he added.
