SC directs Centre to frame "Bail Act" to deal with pending bails
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New Delhi: As the pendency of bail pleas mounts high, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to frame a "Bail Act" to smoothen the granting of bail. Mounting pending bail pleas include those applied by activists, political leaders and journalists, PTI reports.
The apex court ruled that bail applications must be disposed of within two weeks unless the provisions mandate otherwise. It added that pleas for anticipatory bail should be decided within six weeks.
While ruling on a case related to an arrest made by CBI, Supreme Court said, "The Union of India may consider the introduction of a separate enactment in nature of a bail act, so as to streamline the grant of bails."
The bench of Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh said that investigating agencies and their officers are duty-bound to comply with Section 41-A of the Criminal Procedure Code (Notice of appearance before police officer). It noted that any dereliction has to be brought to the court's notice, followed by proper directions, and non-compliance would entitle the accused to grant bail.
Further, the court ordered all high courts to undertrial prisoners who are not able to comply with bail conditions and appropriate action be taken to facilitate their release. Also, it ordered all state governments, Union Territories and high courts to file status reports in four months.