Prayagraj, Sep 24 The Allahabad High Court has questioned an Azamgarh-based court to explain the reasons for passing an order granting limited-period anticipatory bail of only 30 days.
The high court has asked the judge concerned to explain in how many cases he has granted bail to accused persons for limited periods such as 20, 30 or 40 days.
The order was passed by Justice Madan Pal Singh, hearing an application filed by Suresh Yadav and two others who have challenged the December 23, 2025 order of the Additional Sessions Judge, Court No. 1, Azamgarh.
Seeking an explanation, the bench asked the judge concerned to explain the peculiar facts and circumstances that justified granting the applicants anticipatory bail for only 30 days, particularly when the maximum punishment for the alleged offences was below seven years and the applicants had not been arrested until filing of the chargesheet.
The court has asked what the applicants were expected to do after the 30-day period expired, specifically whether they would have to surrender before the trial judge and apply for anticipatory bail again.
It was submitted on behalf of the applicants that there was no justification for imposing such a time limit, particularly since the police had not arrested them during investigation or even until filing of the chargesheet.
The court noted that the chargesheet had already been submitted and cognisance had been taken by the trial court. Yet, while allowing the anticipatory bail application, the trial judge did not record any specific finding explaining why protection was limited to 30 days.
The high court observed that such an order would require the accused to seek another bail application after expiry of the 30-day period, resulting in “unnecessary harassment”.
The high court also reiterated that a court can either allow an anticipatory bail application by granting protection till the conclusion of the trial subject to conditions or reject the application after considering the gravity of the offence.
The matter has been listed for September 30.
(PTI News)
