Supreme Court Asks HCs to Frame Rules Requiring Bail Applicants to Mandatory Disclose Past Cases in Bail Pleas

The Supreme Court urged all High Courts to frame rules requiring accused persons to mandatorily disclose details of previous bail applications and criminal antecedents in fresh bail pleas. 

 

The court cited Rule 5, Chapter 1-A(b), Volume V of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Rules as a model for promoting transparency and accountability in bail proceedings.

 

The direction came as the Court expunged critical remarks by the Rajasthan High Court against a magistrate for granting bail. The bench emphasised that higher courts should avoid publicly criticising judicial officers for such orders. (Kaushal Singh vs State of Rajasthan)