Regular bail granted on prolonged custody, delayed trial, and speedy-trial rights despite pending other cases

Regular bail was considered on the basis of prolonged custody, completion of investigation, framing of charges, limited progress in trial, and the hostile stance of the complainant. Applying the principle that bail is the rule and detention the exception, and recognising the constitutional right to a speedy trial, the Court treated the likely delay in conclusion of trial as significant. The pendency of other cases was not, by itself, sufficient to refuse relief on these facts, and regular bail was granted.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to regular bail in the pending criminal case.

Analysis: The petitioner had undergone substantial custody, the charge-sheet had already been filed, charges had been framed, only one out of seventeen prosecution witnesses had been examined, and the trial was likely to take considerable time. The complainant had turned hostile. The Court also considered the settled principles that bail is the rule and detention the exception, and that the right to a speedy trial forms part of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The pendency of other cases was not treated as by itself sufficient to deny bail in the facts of the case.

Conclusion: The petitioner was held entitled to regular bail.

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