The Supreme Court Tuesday expressed shock at the conduct of the Maharashtra authorities, and directed an inquiry to fix responsibility and take action after it was pointed out that an under-trial was not produced in court from a jail near Mumbai for 55 of the 85 dates of a trial hearing.

The apex court was hearing the bail application of Shashi Jurmani, who has been behind bars for over four years in a case filed in Ulhasnagar in the state’s Thane district. The case related to an alleged assault on a public servant, a police constable, who died two months later.

“We are shocked at the conduct of the state authorities. The production of an accused before the Court is not only to ensure a speedy trial but, more importantly, as a safeguard so that the prisoner is not abused otherwise, and h

See Full Page