The Supreme Court has reiterated that courts must not undertake a detailed evaluation of evidence while deciding bail pleas, as such scrutiny is impermissible at the pre-trial stage.
Why The Supreme Court Intervened
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta set aside a bail order passed by the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court in a murder case involving offences under the SC/ST Act.
The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred by examining the authenticity of medical evidence before trial.
Trial Court Must Examine Medical Evidence
While quashing the bail order, the Bench noted that the High Court’s observations on “the time gap between the date of the incident and the date of death of the deceased” can be assessed only by the trial court at the stage of appreciating medical evidence.
When Superior Courts Can Interfere With Bail Orders
The Court observed that a superior court may interfere with a bail order, considering the nature and gravity of the offence, especially when the order:
- ignores relevant material on record, or
- relies on extraneous considerations.
Applying this standard, the Bench held that the High Court granted bail without any justifiable basis.
Multiple Injuries Noted; No Ground For Bail
The Supreme Court pointed out that the High Court itself recorded multiple injuries on the deceased. It also noted injury No. 8, described as causing deep rooted cerebral damage by blunt trauma.
In these circumstances, the Bench found “absolutely no justifiable reason” to grant bail to the accused respondents.
Directions Issued
The Supreme Court allowed the appeal and quashed the impugned bail order. It directed:
- the accused persons to surrender within four weeks, and
- the trial court to conclude the trial within one year.
Cause Title
Shobha Namdev Sonavane v. Samadhan Bajirao Sonvane and Others
Appearance
For Petitioner(s): Ms. Priyanka Deshpande, Adv.; Dr. R. R. Deshpande, AOR; Mr. Bhagwant Deshpande, Adv.; Ms. Vidya B. Kothule, Adv.
For Respondent(s): Ms. Pranjal Chapalgaonkar, Adv.; Mr. Vatsalya Vigya, AOR; Mr. Varad Kilor, Adv.; Mr. Siddharth Dharmadhikari, Adv.; Mr. Aaditya Aniruddha Pande, AOR; Mr. Shrirang B. Varma, Adv.
