SC Demands Bail Pendency Reports from All High Courts, Cites "Disappointing" Delays

• The Supreme Court has sought reports from all High Courts regarding the pendency of bail matters, expressing disappointment over delays in hearing pleas for personal liberty.
• A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi directed registrar generals to provide details of all bail pleas filed after January 1, 2025, including regular and anticipatory applications.
• The court highlighted that bail pleas are not being expeditiously heard, with some individuals languishing in jail and facing uncertainty about their applications.
• The bench specifically noted delays in the Patna High Court, where bail matters were not urgently listed, forcing petitioners to approach the apex court.
• The Supreme Court urged Chief Justices to revisit and expand their rosters for listing bail pleas to address the mismatch between pendency and available benches, emphasizing the importance of personal liberty.