New Delhi, Jan. 5 -- The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious concern that trial court judges across the country are increasingly reluctant to grant bail, not because cases lack merit, but due to a persistent fear of facing departmental or disciplinary action.
A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan cautioned that this climate of fear is eroding judicial independence at the district level and is directly contributing to an excessive number of bail applications reaching High Courts and the Supreme Court.
The Bench observed that the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against judicial officers merely on suspicion, or for an alleged improper exercise of discretion, has created hesitation among trial ju...