State, C.B.I./S.P.E., New Delhi vs Pal Singh & Anr

The Supreme Court held that the prolonged detention of the respondents as under-trial prisoners was unjustifiable given the significant delay in the commencement of the trial, which had not progressed since their arrest in 1996. The Court emphasized that bail in murder cases should not solely depend on the delay in recovery of evidence, but in this case, the lack of trial progression warranted the respondents' release. Consequently, the Court granted bail to the accused, highlighting the need for timely judicial proceedings under Article 21 of the Constitution.