“In matters concerning the liberty of citizens, every single day counts,” observed the Supreme Court while expressing its displeasure over the prolonged delay by the Delhi High Court in considering the bail plea of Amandeep Singh Dhall, an accused in the Delhi liquor policy case.
On May 17, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the Delhi High Court's extended delay in deciding a bail application, underscoring the critical importance of timely decisions in cases involving personal liberty.
“In matters concerning the liberty of citizens, every single day counts…keeping the matter pending for regular bail for almost 11 months deprives the petitioner of his valuable right of liberty…we request the high court to decode the bail application prior to vacation,” the A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said.
The Supreme Court was informed that the bail application had been adjourned 40 times and was most recently postponed to July 2024. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Dhall, emphasized the severity of the delay, stressing that it is unjust to have the application undecided after such an extensive period and numerous hearings.
The Supreme Court highlighted the infringement on the fundamental right to liberty due to these prolonged delays. The bench requested the Delhi High Court to resolve Dhall's bail application in May, before its summer recess.