In a significant judicial intervention, the Supreme Court on Friday admonished the Allahabad High Court for its protracted delays in processing bail applications, particularly pointing out a case that has been pending since August 2023. During the proceedings, a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan expressed strong disapproval over the habitual postponements encountered by litigants seeking bail, underscoring that even a single day’s delay can impinge upon the fundamental rights of the accused.
The case in question involves a rape accused, whose bail plea has faced repeated adjournments without substantial hearings, a situation that led to a sharp rebuke from the apex court. The Court stressed that the right to a prompt bail hearing is an essential aspect of the constitutional rights guaranteed to individuals.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, representing the accused, argued that the Supreme Court itself has consistently emphasized the necessity for the speedy adjudication of bail matters. Responding to the justices’ inquiries about the cause of such delays, Dave pointed out that the High Court is “overburdened and overworked,” a common issue that affects the judiciary at various levels.
Addressing the matter with a directive, the Supreme Court ordered the High Court to prioritize the hearing and swift disposal of the bail application when next listed.
