'Don't adjourn unnecessarily....': SC to HC in Satyendar bail plea
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Tuesday emphasized the importance of timely decisions in bail matters, discouraging unnecessary adjournments. This statement was made during a hearing, concerning the bail plea of former minister Satyendar Jain. The bench, comprising Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti, stated unequivocally that "bail matters are not to be unnecessarily adjourned."
Plea adjournment
Jain's bail plea adjournment sparks Supreme Court observation
The Supreme Court's comment came while addressing Jain's plea against the Delhi High Court's decision to postpone his bail application hearing for six weeks. The high court has now scheduled Jain's bail plea for July 9. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Jain, contested the lengthy adjournment order during the hearing.
Legal limitations
Supreme Court bench declines to rule on pending issue
Singhvi raised a significant legal question about the possibility of an incomplete charge sheet being filed by the investigating agency to undermine an accused's right to default bail. However, Justice Misra clarified that their two-judge bench could not rule on an issue currently under consideration by a three-judge bench. The Supreme Court bench further stated it would be inappropriate for them to address this point of law.
Arrest details
Jain's arrest and bail denial under scrutiny
Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 30, 2022, in connection with a 2017 money laundering case. Jain has challenged a trial court's order from May 15, which denied him default bail in the case. He argues that the ED failed to conclude its investigation within the statutory period and filed an incomplete prosecution complaint to deprive him of his right to default bail under Section 167 of the CrPC.
Kejriwal's case
Kejriwal's bail plea also discussed in Supreme Court
The Supreme Court also addressed a related issue involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea in a money laundering case linked to Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. The court advised Kejriwal to await the Delhi High Court's decision on his bail plea, describing the high court's decision to reserve its order while granting an interim stay on Kejriwal's bail as "unusual." The Supreme Court will revisit Kejriwal's plea on Wednesday.