In Brief
An accused in a criminal trial pending since 2003 sought transfer of the case from the 3rd Additional Sessions Judge, claiming he overheard an informant allegedly saying the accused would be convicted. The High Court granted the transfer application on apprehension grounds. The Supreme Court held that mere unsubstantiated apprehension of bias does not justify case transfer; the apprehension must be real and reasonable, grounded in objective circumstances. A trial judge cannot be compelled to recuse himself based on callous allegations from the accused. The Court set aside the High Court's transfer order and directed the trial judge to proceed with the trial within six months, upholding the principle that transfer powers must be exercised cautiously in exceptional cases only."
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