Courts not expected to delay matters concerning liberty: SC takes tough stance

The Supreme Court on Thursday emphasised that courts should not delay matters related to liberty for extended periods. A bench consisting of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih made this remark after learning that the

Punjab and Haryana High Court

had scheduled the hearing of a plea for

temporary bail

on medical grounds after a gap of two months.
The petitioner's counsel explained before the bench that the plea was filed for temporary bail on the grounds that the petitioner’s two-year-old daughter urgently needed surgery. The lawyer argued that despite this, the high court had scheduled the hearing for April 22, in an order passed on February 21, reported news agency PTI.
"In the matters of liberty, the courts are not expected to keep the matter at such a long date," the bench said and permitted the petitioner to move the high court for an earlier hearing.
The bench advised the high court to expedite the case, particularly the temporary bail request related to the medical condition of the petitioner's daughter.

The petitioner’s counsel mentioned that they had already filed an application before the high court for an expedited hearing, but it had been dismissed.
“Now, with this observation, do you think the high court will reject it?” Justice Gavai then asked while hearing the plea.
The bench further noted that if it were to issue a notice on the plea, the respondent could request time to respond, which could delay the matter even further. The court emphasized that the high court was in the best position to handle the matter swiftly.
“We expect the high courts to at least give some weight to our request.” Justice Gavai concluded.
The counsel also clarified that the petitioner had sought interim bail before the high court, but the hearing had been scheduled for April along with the main petition.