Bail Granted After Nearly 12 Years in Jail; Right to Speedy Trial Cannot Be Ignored: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court

In a significant judgment protecting the constitutional rights of undertrial prisoners, the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has granted bail to a man who remained in custody for nearly twelve years in a murder case. The Court held that such prolonged incarceration without conclusion of trial amounted to a serious violation of the accused's fundamental right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.…