D. Y. Chandrachud on Bail Rights

Former Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud stated that bail before conviction should be a matter of right, rooted in the presumption of innocence. He emphasized that courts must thoroughly examine cases involving national security before granting bail, citing concerns over prolonged undertrial incarceration and delays in trials. His remarks were made at the Jaipur Literature Festival in response to the India — Supreme Court of India's recent denial of bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud also expressed concern over lower courts' reluctance to grant bail and the slow pace of case disposal in the Indian criminal justice system, advocating for the inclusion of civil society members in the collegium for judicial appointments to enhance transparency.