In Prithvi Singh v. State of Rajasthan (SLP Criminal No. 12165/2023), the Division Bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Sanjay Karol granted bail to the petitioner, who had been in custody for 5 years and 3 months. The trial status revealed that only 8 out of 18 witnesses were examined, and 4 alleged eyewitnesses had turned hostile.
The petitioner, with a permanent disability exceeding 40% (according to the Permanent Disability Certificate), had been in custody since 23-08-2018, with no reported criminal antecedents. Considering these circumstances and the remote likelihood of a speedy trial, the Court deemed it fit to grant bail.
However, the Court imposed conditions, directing the petitioner to cooperate for an early trial, refrain from interacting with witnesses, and left room for the Trial Court to impose additional conditions if necessary.
