Bail directions may be tied to appearance before the trial court

The High Court had directed the petitioners to appear within 60 days. The Supreme Court gave further directions concerning their appearance. The petitioners were to appear before the jurisdictional court on the specified date. The charges were to be read over on that day. Bail was to be granted on conditions considered satisfactory by that court. The jurisdictional court retained discretion over suitable conditions. The petitioners were required to cooperate in expeditious disposal. The directions linked liberty with participation in the proceedings. Smt. Shalini Bhateja & Anr. v. The State of U.P. & Ors. | 2026 INSC 28