In Brief
The Supreme Court granted bail to an accused who had been in custody since March 2017 in connection with alleged offences under the Indian Penal Code (cheating, forgery, and using forged documents). Although a chargesheet had been filed, the trial had not yet commenced. The Court held that prolonged custody without trial commencement warranted bail release. The trial court was directed to impose appropriate conditions and expeditiously commence and conclude the trial proceedings. The High Court's order was set aside and the appeal was allowed.
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