In a notable decision today, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a bail petition following repeated requests for adjournment, marking the fourth such request by the defense. The case involved Nilesh Dhyaneshwar Desale, whose February 13 bail denial by the Bombay High Court was under scrutiny.
Desale, identified as a contract killer, is accused of conspiring to murder an individual named Sachin, even hiring other contract killers for the job. The Bombay High Court, in its proceedings, took a strong stance against granting bail, pointing to Desale’s extensive criminal record, which includes nine prior offenses.
During the hearing at the Supreme Court, Desale’s legal team sought adjournments on July 31, September 10, and October 15, citing various reasons each time. Today, yet another request for adjournment led to a decisive reaction from the bench. Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma expressed frustration over the delay tactics, highlighting the court’s ongoing struggle with case backlogs.*
Justice Sharma commented on the broader issue of case management in the judiciary, noting the heavy daily caseload and extended working hours faced by court staff. He criticized the practice of frequent adjournments, stating that it hampers the court’s efficiency.
