Supreme Court Nullifies Six-Month Bail Bond Condition

The Supreme Court invalidated a Patna High Court order requiring the accused to furnish bail bonds six months after the bail order. It highlighted the necessity of immediate bail decision based on merits. The case involved the recovery of 40 litres of country-made liquor.

The Supreme Court has issued a decisive ruling against a peculiar bail bond condition imposed by the Patna High Court. A bench, including Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma, highlighted that bail should be granted or denied based solely on the merits of a case.

This verdict came after a petition challenged a directive requiring the accused to furnish bail bonds six months post - bail order issuance under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Amendment Act. The accused was supposed to secure release upon furnishing bonds of Rs 10,000 with two sureties.

The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the judicial principle that bail decisions must not be postponed without valid reasons. The high court's order was dismissed, and the case was redirected for reassessment on November 11. This case involves the alleged recovery of 40 litres of illicit liquor.

(With inputs from agencies.)