Rule and exception: On a reminder on the fundamentals of bail law

The Supreme Court of India’s recent decision to grant bail to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia serves as a reminder that bail should be the rule, not the exception. Bail should be denied only if the suspect poses a flight risk, may tamper with evidence, or if trial proceedings face prolonged delays. The court emphasized the necessity of a speedy trial and cautioned against the judiciary losing public trust in its role of protecting citizens’ liberty and ensuring fair trials, thereby upholding the principles of justice.