India, Jan. 12 -- A growing perception-amplified by social media and public commentary-is that the judiciary has been thoroughly infiltrated by Hindutva agents, much like the saffron-hued malefactors propose that Bangladeshis have, and been ideologically compromised. Some recent Supreme Court verdicts, rather than being unbiased and just, seem to lend credence to such calumny.

Even though the State was caught lying, relying on a discredited witness, and had not yet produced any physical evidence, the Supreme Court refused bail to Muslim activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been jailed without trial for over five years in what the police call the larger conspiracy case of the Delhi riots.

The Supreme Court judgment is fundam...