In Brief
A caste-based assault case involving attempt to murder resulted in bail cancellation after the accused murdered a key witness while on bail. The High Court subsequently granted bail and directed joint trial of the two distinct crimes. The Supreme Court set aside the bail order as manifestly perverse, holding: (1) mere opportunity to be heard does not satisfy Section 15A(5) of the SC/ST (POA) Act; courts must meaningfully consider victim objections; (2) prior bail cancellation, witness murder, and gravity of offences must factor in bail decisions; (3) joint trial direction at bail stage violates statutory procedures requiring separate trials as the norm. The Court emphasised that serious criminal offences, especially SC/ST atrocities, demand rigorous judicial scrutiny and adherence to victim safeguards.
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