SC Orders Inquiry Into Delay in Uploading Bail Rejection Order by HC

Ajay Maini Vs State of Haryana & Ors (Supreme Court of India)

In Ajay Maini Vs State of Haryana & Ors, the Supreme Court of India questioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court over a significant delay in publishing a bail order and ordered an inquiry into allegations of backdating. The issue arose when a special leave petition was filed on August 16, 2025, challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order dated July 31, 2025, which rejected the petitioner’s anticipatory bail plea. The petitioner noted that the order had not been uploaded to the High Court’s website. On August 20, 2025, the Supreme Court, observing the delay, requested a report from the High Court’s Registrar General.

The Registrar General’s report revealed that the order, dated July 31, 2025, was not uploaded by August 20. The report also indicated that the judge’s secretary had not provided a clear explanation for the delay, only stating that the judge was undergoing a medical procedure. The Supreme Court expressed concern that immediate action was not taken to report the matter. The Court’s order suggests a suspicion that the order was not passed on July 31 but was backdated after the Supreme Court intervened.