SC Orders Faster Bail, Release and Judgment Delivery

The Supreme Court has fixed strict timelines for High Courts to pronounce judgments, pass bail orders, and ensure the release of accused persons. Exercising its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Court issued binding guidelines to streamline judicial processes.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipin M. Pancholi directed that bail applications should ordinarily be decided on the same day. If an order is reserved, it must be uploaded by the following day. The Court further said that orders granting bail or suspending a sentence should be immediately communicated to jail authorities so that, after completion of formalities, the prisoner is released the same day or, at the latest, the next day.
Three Key Directions
1. Detailed Reasons Within 15 Days
If a court initially pronounces only the operative part of a judgment, the detailed reasoned judgment must be uploaded within 15 days. The date on which the operative part is pronounced will be treated as the official date of the judgment.
2. Upload Judgment Within 24 Hours
Reasoned judgments must be uploaded to the High Court’s website within 24 hours of being pronounced in open court, ensuring timely access for litigants and lawyers.
3. Judgment Dates Must Be Publicly Displayed
High Courts must display the date of pronouncement on their websites. This will help parties track cases and know how long matters have remained pending.