Supreme Court of India.
Supreme Court Pulls Up Registry for Delay in Listing of Pending Bail Matters: New Delhi – India’s Supreme Court has told its own administrative body, the Registry, to speed up cases involving bail. The Court said such cases, known as special leave petitions (SLPs) for bail, should not be left pending for too long without being heard.
This directive came from a bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Prasanna B. Varale. They were addressing a petition asking for protection from arrest (anticipatory bail). The judges noted that this particular case had not been listed for nearly two months, even after interim protection was granted.
Justice Sandeep Mehta.
“We are constrained to observe that the matter which was initially listed on 22.04.2024 has never been listed in the Court again prior to today,” the Bench remarked. They then issued a clear instruction: “The Registry to ensure that the special leave petitions more particularly those dealing with prayers for bail are not kept pending for such a long period.”
Details of the Case
The petitioners had approached the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail. This was in connection with a police complaint, an FIR, filed in September 2023. Initially, the offences were less serious. The petitioners were arrested and then released on bail by a lower court (Magistrate).
However, later, more serious charges were added to the case. These included offences under Sections 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. With these new, graver charges, the Magistrate allowed the police to arrest the petitioners again.
Following this, the petitioners sought anticipatory bail from the Sessions Court and then the Punjab & Haryana High Court. Both courts rejected their plea. This led them to file a special leave petition before the Supreme Court.
On April 22, 2024, the Supreme Court granted the petitioners temporary protection from arrest. But, despite this, their case was not brought before the Court again for almost two months. It was finally listed on June 19, 2025.
Court’s Displeasure and Directives
Justice Prasanna B Varale.
The Court expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the Registry’s failure to list a case concerning personal liberty for such an extended period. It highlighted that matters related to bail require prompt attention.
The judges reiterated their concern about the delay in this specific case. They emphasized the importance of the Registry ensuring that special leave petitions, especially those concerning bail, are not kept pending for long.
The Court also took into account the State’s submission. The State of Haryana informed the Court that further questioning of the petitioners in police custody was no longer necessary.
Given these circumstances and the State’s position, the Supreme Court made the interim protection previously granted to the petitioners permanent. This protection will now continue until the conclusion of their trial. The petition was thus resolved.
This directive from the Supreme Court underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights, especially the right to liberty, and ensuring that administrative procedures do not unduly delay access to justice.
