'Bail by HCs shouldn't be challenged in SC': CJI-led bench rejects appeal by Chhattisgarh government

A Supreme Court bench led by CJI Surya Kant said once a high court grants bail, it should be treated as final and SC should not entertain state appeals against bail orders.

The bench rejected an appeal by the Chhattisgarh government against bail granted to Chaitanya Baghel, son of ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel, despite reservations about the high court order.

CJI Surya Kant noted that high courts write excessively long bail orders (40-50 pages) and suggested they should not exceed three to four pages.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi proposed that appeals to SC in bail matters should be allowed only when bail is denied, not when it is granted.

The bench said states challenging high court bail orders over the last two decades have caused a surge in SC appeals, with each bench handling at least ten such petitions daily.