Justice delayed, not denied: SC frees Punjab man after two years in jail

The Supreme Court on Sunday ruled that incarceration without trial amounts to punishment , granting bail to a Punjab resident who had spent nearly two years in jail without his trial starting.

The bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and P V Varale was hearing the case of Pradeep Kumar , also known as Banu, who was booked in February 2024 for attempt to murder along with other offences, including criminal intimidation and possession of prohibited items. The case arose after an alleged attack on a local businessman in Punjab, but despite 23 witnesses being listed by the prosecution , none had been examined over the past two years.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier rejected Kumar’s bail plea in July 2025 , citing the seriousness of the charges. The Supreme Court noted the delay violated his right to a fair and speedy trial , saying: “Prosecution proposes to examine 23 witnesses to drive home the charges, but none has been examined. The trial is likely to take considerable time to conclude.”

Kumar was granted bail under strict conditions , including furnishing bail bonds and refraining from influencing witnesses . Any breach could lead to cancellation of bail, and he must attend all trial proceedings unless exempted for valid reasons.

The court clarified that the grant of bail does not reflect on the merits of the case. Experts said the ruling reinforces the principle of speedy trial, ensuring prolonged pre-trial detention cannot substitute for punishment.