Govt rules out separate bail law SC suggested

The Union government has declined to act on the Supreme Court's suggestion to enact a separate law on bail, asserting that the recent overhaul of criminal laws sufficiently addresses concerns regarding pretrial detention and related issues.

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI:

In an affidavit, submitted in compliance with earlier directions from the Supreme Court, the Centre highlighted the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which came into effect in July 2024. Chapter XXXV (or 35) of the BNSS, it argued, comprehensively lays down the framework for bail, bail bonds, and related processes, making a standalone law unnecessary. "As the provisions relating to bail and bonds in Chapter XXXV of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 are considered adequate, there is no proposal to bring a separate law on Bail..." the affidavit stated.