Supreme Court Grants Bail to Ravinder Kumar Singh After Three Years in Custody.


24 September 2025 Bail and Antcipatory Bail >> Criminal Law  

The Supreme Court of India, on 24 September 2025, revoked a Himachal Pradesh High Court order and released Ravinder Kumar Singh, who had been in jail for more than three years on a murder case filed in the Shimla district.

A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe observed that Singh had already been detained since 20 July 2022 and that the speed in the ongoing trial was still very slow. Of the 63 witnesses mentioned by the prosecution, only four had been examined till date. Finding detention for so long under such conditions was not warranted, the Court ordered Singh's release on bail subject to terms and conditions laid down by the trial court.


 

 
 
 

The case originates from FIR No. 54/2022, registered at Kotkhai Police Station, District Shimla, on 11 June 2022, under Sections 302 (murder), 392 (robbery), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) read with Section 34 (common intention) and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The trial is pending before the Additional District and Sessions Judge-II, Circuit Court at Theog, Shimla.

In granting Singh the leave to appeal the denial of bail by the High Court, however, the top court made it clear that its remarks were limited to the issue of bail alone and should not be interpreted as criticism of the merits of the case. Singh has also been asked to fully assist the trial and not cause any unnecessary adjournments.

The verdict reaffirms the Court's belief that long-term undertrial detention, especially in situations where the trial is unlikely to finish at an early stage, can become unfair and against the principles of a fair trial assured under the Constitution itself.


Section 34., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 120B., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 201., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 302., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 392., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Indian Penal Code, 1860