New Delhi, Jan. 30 -- The Delhi High Court has set aside an order of a trial court that dismissed a bail application solely on the ground that it was "too voluminous and bulky", and directed the trial court to reconsider the bail plea on merits within ten days after granting a proper hearing to both sides.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma held that once a court has issued notice, called for a reply from the investigating agency and listed the matter for final arguments, it cannot refuse to adjudicate a bail application merely because of the volume of documents filed along with it.

The High Court observed that such an approach amounts to non-application of judicial mind and is impermissible in law, particularly when the personal liberty of a...