Prolonged incarceration without trial progress leads to bail with stringent conditions to ensure fair proceedings.
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has granted bail to the appellants in the high-profile case of Ashish Satish Mittal v. State of Maharashtra, as the appellants faced charges under multiple legal provisions, including the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Motor Vehicles Act. The appellants were incarcerated for nearly 18 months without substantial progress in their trial, prompting the apex court to intervene.
The bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan delivered the judgment on February 2, 2026, allowing the appeals against the Bombay High Court's order that had denied bail. The Supreme Court noted the lack of trial progress and expressed concerns over the potential prejudice against the appellants due to continued incarceration.
The case stems from a tragic car accident that resulted in the deaths of two individuals on May 19, 2024. The charges included serious offenses such as conspiracy, document forgery, and attempts to replace blood samples to manipulate the investigation. The appellants, including a middleman accused of bribery and the father of a juvenile involved in the accident, argued for bail on the grounds of unjust prolonged detention.
The Supreme Court, acknowledging the appellants' plea, highlighted the need for a fair trial and set conditions for their release. These conditions include cooperating with the trial process, abstaining from contacting witnesses, and refraining from misusing their liberty. Any violation of these conditions would result in the cancellation of bail.
The court's decision underscores the importance of balancing the rights of the accused with the integrity of the judicial process, especially in cases involving significant delays in trial proceedings. The order mandates the trial court to facilitate the release of the appellants on bail, ensuring they adhere to the conditions laid down to prevent any hindrance to the trial.
Bottom Line:
Bail granted by the Supreme Court considering prolonged incarceration of appellants, absence of progress in trial, and conditions imposed to ensure fair proceedings.
Statutory provision(s): Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, Indian Penal Code (Sections 304, 279, 337, 338, 427, 120-B, 201, 213, 214, 466, 467, 468, 471, 109 read with Section 34), Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Sections 7, 7-A, 8, 12, 13), Motor Vehicles Act (Sections 184, 185, 199/177, 3(1)/180, 5(1)/181, 199(a)).
Ashish Satish Mittal v. State Of Maharashtra, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2847748
