In Brief
Manoranjana Sinh, arrested in connection with the Saradha Ponzi scheme scam, challenged the dismissal of her bail plea. She had been in judicial custody for 15 months, a charge-sheet had been filed against her, she was cooperating with CBI investigation, and she suffered from multiple medical ailments. The Supreme Court held that indefinite detention of an under-trial violates Article 21 and that bail is not punishment. Balancing investigative needs against the right to liberty, and finding the CBI's status report lacked specific justifications for her continued detention, the Court granted bail subject to strict conditions including restriction of movement, monthly reporting, and cooperation with investigation.
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