Summary: Hany Babu, a linguistics professor, has been granted bail after over five years in jail without trial. The Bombay High Court ruled in his favor, highlighting the long time he spent in jail and his right to have a quick trial.
Hany Babu, aged 54, was arrested on April 14, 2020. He was held under serious charges, including parts of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. These charges were connected to a case that started in Pune and was later looked into by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Hany Babu's first request for bail was turned down on February 14, 2022. He tried again, but the Bombay High Court said no on September 19, 2022. He then went to the Supreme Court, which also said no on May 3, 2024. Finally, he tried again on June 10, 2024, which led to the current decision.
The court, led by Justices A.S. Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale, noted that Hany Babu had been in jail for over five years without a trial. The case involved 20,000 pages of documents and 363 witnesses, making a quick trial unlikely.
“Being in jail for a long time without trial goes against the rights of someone accused as per Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”
Hany Babu’s lawyer, Dr. Yug Mohit Chaudhry, argued for bail because of the long time in jail before the trial and the release of other people accused on similar grounds. The prosecution, represented by Mr. Anil Singh, disagreed, pointing out the seriousness of the charges and that his jail time wasn't complete.
The court decided in favor of Hany Babu, canceling the previous decision and granting bail with conditions. Hany Babu must provide a bond and follow specific rules, like not leaving Mumbai without permission and regularly checking in with the NIA.
The court granted Hany Babu bail, emphasizing the need for a quick trial and recognizing that keeping someone in jail for a long time without trial is not right. This decision may influence similar cases in the future.
