📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Terri Sewell
Politics
Rights panel urges reforms to bail‑surety rules that trap the poor
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 27 Oct 2026, 03:36 AM
👁 14
A human‑rights panel has called for changes to bail‑surety practices, saying poverty should not deny liberty.
A rights panel convened this week to examine the impact of bail‑surety requirements on economically disadvantaged defendants. The panel highlighted that the current system often forces the poor to remain in custody because they cannot afford the financial guarantees demanded for release.
Members of the panel argued that the practice undermines the principle of liberty enshrined in the constitution, effectively creating a two‑tier justice system based on wealth. They called for the introduction of alternative mechanisms, such as non‑monetary sureties or risk‑assessment tools, to ensure that release decisions are not solely dependent on a person's financial capacity.
The discussion also noted that existing bail procedures can lead to prolonged pre‑trial detention, which not only burdens the accused but also strains the judicial infrastructure. The panel urged lawmakers and the judiciary to review and amend the bail framework to align it with the rights of the under‑privileged.
While no immediate legislative action was announced, the panel pledged to submit a detailed report to the relevant authorities, recommending concrete steps to make bail more equitable across socio‑economic groups.
Members of the panel argued that the practice undermines the principle of liberty enshrined in the constitution, effectively creating a two‑tier justice system based on wealth. They called for the introduction of alternative mechanisms, such as non‑monetary sureties or risk‑assessment tools, to ensure that release decisions are not solely dependent on a person's financial capacity.
The discussion also noted that existing bail procedures can lead to prolonged pre‑trial detention, which not only burdens the accused but also strains the judicial infrastructure. The panel urged lawmakers and the judiciary to review and amend the bail framework to align it with the rights of the under‑privileged.
While no immediate legislative action was announced, the panel pledged to submit a detailed report to the relevant authorities, recommending concrete steps to make bail more equitable across socio‑economic groups.