Supreme Court Criticizes Mechanical Granting of Anticipatory Bail

The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the mechanical manner in which anticipatory bail is awarded in serious criminal cases. In a recent verdict, a three-judge bench, including Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta, nullified an anticipatory bail previously granted to four suspects in a murder case.

The bench was critical of the Patna High Court's earlier decision, stating that it lacked sufficient reasoning. This decision involved serious charges under Sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court emphasized that the lower court's order was deficient in judicial analysis, calling the methodology in granting bail 'cryptic'.

Highlighting the gravity of the charges, which revolved around a fatal assault following a dispute, the apex court underscored the need for detailed judicial scrutiny in such cases. Consequently, the accused were instructed to surrender, as the order was in response to a plea by the victim's son disputing the anticipatory bail.

(With inputs from agencies.)