SC Questions Maharashtra's 'Double Standards' Over Bail and Delayed Trial
The Supreme Court on Friday expressed displeasure with the Maharashtra government for opposing the bail plea of an accused in a murder case while failing to expedite the trial. A bench of Justices A. Amanullah and Sheel Nagu noted that only 2 of the 45 witnesses had been examined in a four-year-old murder case against a foreign national, Kelvin Chindozie Okoro.
While dismissing Okoro's bail plea, the court directed the Maharashtra government to formulate a policy to address situations where an accused is deprived of liberty due to delays beyond their control, specifically because of prosecution lapses. The bench questioned the state counsel about the slow pace of the trial, highlighting the apparent contradiction in opposing bail while not ensuring swift justice.
Justice Amanullah remarked that the right to a speedy trial is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. The court's observations underscore the need for the state to balance its interest in opposing bail with its duty to expedite trials, especially when the accused is in custody.
