On 20 February, the Supreme Court observed that the bail applications need to dealt with expeditiously and finally, one way or the other and cannot brook delay.

The bench comprising of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari has expressed its ‘displeasure’ about the pendency of bail application filed in August 2018 before the Calcutta High Court which instead of deciding the bail application filed by an accused, granted interim orders.

“We have no hesitation in observing that adopting such a course, that too, by a constitutional Court, is wholly unfathomable and must be eschewed. For, the application for bail or anticipatory bail is a matter of a moment for the accused and the protracted hearing thereof may also cause prejudice to the investigation and affect the prosecution interests which cannot be comprehended in this order,” stated the bench.

Further, the SC disposed of the bail application itself.

“The bail application filed by the appellant in the High Court stands disposed of in terms of this order,” submitted the bench.