Bail applications shouldn't exceed 10 minutes- Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that bail hearings shouldn't last longer than ten minutes.

The court's time is being wasted, according to a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and AS Oka, during lengthy bail proceedings that take days.

The comments were made at a hearing on a plea filed by JNU student Sharjeel Imam, who urged the Supreme Court to overturn comments the Delhi High Court made about him in its decision to refuse co-defendant Umar Khalid bail in the Delhi Riots Conspiracy case.

Imam was referred to by the Delhi High Court as "arguably the head of the scheme" when it denied Khalid bail.

Imam claims that these statements were made against natural justice principles without allowing him a chance to be heard and without any evidence being on file.

According to the Court today, when bail matters are thoroughly heard, as though the Court is hearing a final appeal against conviction, such observations creep into the judgement.

After hearing Khalid's bail request for more than 20 days, the court refused it while also making comments on Imam.

The Delhi High Court's views regarding Imam's role will not in any way harm him, the court ruled today after granting Imam's petition.