New Delhi, May 5: The Supreme Court has made a significant ruling, affirming that the right to a fair and speedy trial is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. In line with this principle, the apex court granted bail to a murder accused who had been incarcerated for nearly four years without a single witness statement recorded.
The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi, issued this order while hearing the special leave petition (SLP) of Sahil Manoj Machare. Machare had challenged the Bombay High Court’s decision, which denied him bail. The case is registered at the Shahapur police station in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court noted that the accused has been in judicial custody since November 1, 2022. Although the trial court framed charges in 2024, not a single witness has testified to date. The court stated, “We observe that the petitioner has been in custody since November 1, 2022. Even after charges were framed in 2024, not a single witness has been examined.”
Considering the prolonged detention without trial, the court deemed it a violation of the accused’s fundamental rights. The bench remarked, “In such circumstances, we have no option but to conclude that the accused’s right to a speedy trial, as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, has been infringed.”
The court acknowledged the seriousness of the murder charge against the accused but reiterated that regardless of the crime’s gravity, if the right to a speedy trial is compromised, the court must consider bail.
Given the lack of substantial progress in the case over nearly four years, the court ordered the immediate release of the accused on bail, stipulating that the trial court will set necessary conditions. If the accused is not wanted in any other case, he should be released.
The case was registered under Sections 302 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to the prosecution, the incident occurred during a family event in Tardal village, Kolhapur, where an individual was attacked with a sharp weapon, leading to his death. An eyewitness identified the co-accused as Sahil Manoj Machare.
In the Bombay High Court, the accused argued that his name was not mentioned in the FIR, no weapon was recovered from him, and the case relied on circumstantial evidence. Nevertheless, in March 2026, the High Court dismissed his bail plea, stating that the seriousness of the crime and the prima facie evidence of the accused’s involvement did not favor bail.
The Supreme Court overturned the High Court’s decision, asserting that prolonged detention under such circumstances cannot be justified, and the accused should be granted bail.
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