SC’s displeasure over keeping Anil Deshmukh’s bail plea pending, told HC – take a decision within a week
The Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the long pending bail plea of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in the Bombay High Court. The Supreme Court has asked the Bombay High Court to hear the bail plea of Anil Deshmukh within a week and decide on it expeditiously. The bail plea of Anil Deshmukh, who was arrested on November 2 last year in a case of illegal extortion, is pending in the High Court for almost 8 months.
The Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the Bombay High Court not deciding on Deshmukh’s bail plea and keeping it pending. The Supreme Court said that keeping bail applications pending for eight months is not in accordance with the jurisprudence of bail.
What did the Supreme Court say?
The apex court bench said that any person who has filed an application for bail has a legitimate expectation that his petition will be disposed of at the earliest. Pending an application for bail is not in consonance with the right to life under Article 21. The bench further clarified that they have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the matter.
Arrested by ED in November 2021
The Supreme Court bench said that the bail plea of Anil Deshmukh is pending in the High Court since March 21. We issue a direction and allow the petitioner to apply before the judge who has been assigned the case tomorrow. The application should be taken up for hearing during this week and decided expeditiously. High Court Justice NJ Jamadar is hearing the bail plea of former minister Anil Deshmukh, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in November 2021 and is currently in judicial custody.
