Criminal procedure me default bail ya statutory bail ek important check hai State power pe. Idea yeh hai: agar prosecution prescribed time limit ke andar charge-sheet file nahi kare, toh accused ko bail ka right mil jata hai – chahe charges kitne serious kyun na ho.
Time limit offence type pe depend karti hai. Serious offences me zyada days, minor me kam. Prosecution agar within period investigation complete karke charge-sheet file nahi kar pati, toh wo custody indefinitely extend nahi kara sakti. Accused “default bail” claim kar sakta hai, provided wo time pe application de.
Ye right once accrued, strong mana jata hai. Agar accused delay se aware nahi, ya legal advice na ho aur wo window miss kar de, to later regular bail standard apply hoga. Isliye defence lawyers ke liye calendar tracking crucial hai.
Default bail ka purpose yeh nahi ki dangerous log free ghoomein; balki yeh ensure karna hai ki State lazily ya mala fide tareeke se logon ko charge-sheet ke bina indefinite jail me na rakhe. Investigation ko disciplined timeline me finish karna bhi rule of law ka part hai.
