Supreme Court Sees Surge in Bail Pleas as Lower Courts Deny Relief

Justice Bhushan R Gavai of the Supreme Court expresses concern over the rising number of bail pleas in the apex court due to limited bail approvals in district and high courts. He urges judges to follow the example of Ramshastri Prabhune, a revered chief justice of the Maratha Empire, and consider bail pleas with courage and impartiality.

The number of bail pleas being filed in the Supreme Court has been steadily increasing due to the difficulty in obtaining bail in district courts and high courts, according to Justice Bhushan R Gavai. Justice Gavai made this observation during an event held in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, where the bhoomi pujan of a new court building took place.

Challenges in Obtaining Bail

Justice Gavai highlighted the current situation where bail is rarely granted in district courts, making it even more challenging to secure bail in high courts. As a result, the Supreme Court is experiencing a growing backlog of bail matters.

Need for Courageous and Unbiased Judges

Justice Gavai emphasized the importance of judges possessing the courageous and unbiased nature of Ramshastri Prabhune, the revered chief justice of the Maratha Empire. He questioned why judges should fear granting bail, especially considering the possibility of an accused spending 9-10 years in jail before the trial concludes.

Increasing Family Court Disputes

Supreme Court Justice Abhay Oka, also present at the event, drew attention to the rising number of marriage-related disputes and the need to increase the number of family courts across the country. Justice Oka highlighted the seriousness of this issue, particularly in cities, where a single marriage dispute can result in 10-15 cases being filed. He stressed the importance of establishing more district, sessions, and family courts to address this growing demand.

Respect for the Constitution

Justice Oka advised the legal fraternity to avoid puja rituals and instead begin their work by bowing down before a copy of the Constitution. He emphasized the significance of showing respect and implementing the values enshrined in the Constitution, especially as India commemorates 75 years of its adoption.