The Supreme Court has issued eight directions aimed at ensuring bail petitions in High Courts are decided without prolonged delays. The guidelines were laid down by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The directions came while hearing a matter concerning the pendency of bail pleas in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The apex court said the measures should be followed by High Courts across the country to reduce backlog while safeguarding victims’ rights.
Among the key steps, the court asked High Courts to fix clear timelines for disposal of bail matters and to ensure coordination between courts and investigating agencies. It also said adjournments sought by the Centre or state governments during bail hearings should not be permitted, reminding governments that protecting fundamental rights is the court’s duty.
The Supreme Court further directed that bail pleas must be listed compulsorily once a week or once in two weeks, with matters that do not reach hearing automatically carried to the next list. Fresh bail petitions should be listed within a week or at intervals of two days, and status reports should be filed before the first hearing.
To avoid delays in issuing notice, copies of bail petitions should be provided in advance to the office of the government’s chief law officer. The court also flagged delays in forensic laboratory reports as a recurring hurdle and asked High Court Chief Justices to consult state governments to address the issue.
