DELHI HIGH COURT: VERIFICATION OF LOCAL SURETY BOND NEEDS TO BE ENSURED WITH STRICT TIMELINES TO AVOID EXPLOITATION OF PRISONER OR SURETY

The Delhi High Court in the case Sujit Kumar Sigh v. Director General Of Prisons, Govt. Of NCT of Delhi observed that the verification of local surety bonds needs to be ensured within strict timelines in a time bound manner in order to avoid exploitation of prisoner or surety in any manner.

The bench headed by Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta in the case observed and has stated that after bail orders have been issued by the Court, the State is bound to ensure smooth release of the accused or convicts at the earliest, without any bottlenecks or delay.

The court in the case observed that unlawful delay made in release of accused or convicts or undertrial prisoners despite being admitted to bail needs to be addressed as it touches upon their rights of liberty.

The court in the case stated that the very purpose of interim bail or bail stands frustrated, in case substantial time is being consumed for the purpose of verification of sureties without consideration of exigencies.

The bench headed by Justice Mendiratta stated that the said court is conscious of the fact that the process of physical verification of surety bond may take some time due to understaffing or overwork of the police officials but the same cannot be countenanced in case the delay in verification of surety bonds extends for the period of two weeks.