Thursday, 29 August 2024 | PNS | Nainital
The Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday granted default bail to 50 accused in the Vanbhulpuraviolence case. The court overturned the order of the lower court, which had granted the police additional time to file the charge sheet even after the stipulated 90 days had elapsed. This decision came after a hearing on the default bail applications filed by the accused.
The bench of HC, comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Pankaj Purohit, had reserved its decision on Saturday after the hearing and delivered the verdict on Wednesday. The accused, including Muzammil and 49 others, argued in their bail application that the police had failed to submit the charge sheet within the 90-day period and did not provide a valid reason for extending their remand. Despite this, their remand was extended and their default bail was denied by the lower court.
The chief public prosecutor argued that the police had sufficient grounds and reasons for the remand extension and that the court was within its rights to grant it, in accordance with the law. During the hearing, the accused contended that the extension of their remand violated Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. They argued that, regardless of the severity of the charges, the police could not detain them indefinitely without cause. Given that the charge sheet has not yet been filed, the accused maintained that they are entitled to be released on bail. All 50 accused were eventually granted default bail by the court.
