Topic
Bombay HC suspends life imprisonment of a murder convict during appeal after 22 years on bail, citing excessive trial duration and prior bail status. Court grants parity bail to accused despite serious charges, emphasizing procedural delays and equitable considerations.
The Bombay High Court granted bail to two convicts serving life terms after 8 and 10 years in custody, holding that excessive post-conviction delay in hearing appeals violates the right to speedy trial under Article 21. The ruling reinforces that the gravity of the offence cannot override the constitutional right to liberty when appellate justice is unduly delayed, setting a critical precedent for long-term prisoners awaiting appellate review.
Bombay High Court Aurangabad Bench rules that an accused who remained on bail during the entire trial without misuse is entitled to bail pending appeal, especially when prosecution evidence is unreliable. The court emphasized that failure of eyewitnesses to identify the accused in a test identification parade weakens the case, justifying suspension of life sentence.
Rajasthan High Court holds that prisoners serving life sentences without death penalty are eligible for permanent parole after 12 years under Rule 9 proviso, rejecting arbitrary rejections by parole committees.