India, Sept. 13 -- The Supreme Court on Friday directed high courts and district courts across the country to ensure that bail and anticipatory bail applications are decided within two months of filing, emphasising that matters involving personal liberty cannot be left hanging indefinitely in the name of judicial workload.

A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan made it clear that prolonged pendency of such cases not only undermines the object of the Code of Criminal Procedure but also violates the constitutional guarantees of equality and personal liberty under Articles 14 and 21.

"In matters concerning liberty, bail courts must be sensitive and ensure that constitutional ethos is upheld. While docket explosion remains a chron...