The Supreme Court has granted bail to an men in a corruption case, observing that an accused cannot be kept behind bars merely because the competent authority has delayed granting sanction for prosecution. Setting aside the Allahabad High Court's order refusing regular bail, the Court held that such administrative delay cannot operate against an individual's liberty.
Background of the Case
The matter arose from an FIR registered on 9 December 2025 at Police Station Adarsh Mandi in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The appellant was arrested the same day. Although the investigation was completed and the charge sheet was filed on 7 February 2026, the prosecution had not yet obtained the mandatory sanction required for the trial court to take cognizance of the case.
Court's Observations
A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu noted that while the prosecution intended to examine 19 witnesses and the trial would likely take time, the more significant issue was the continued absence of prosecution sanction.
The Bench observed,
"The delay in grant of sanction to prosecute cannot be used to the disadvantage of a citizen for curtailing his liberty."
It also expressed surprise that even months after the charge sheet had been filed, the sanctioning authority had not acted.
Court's Decision
Allowing the appeal, the Supreme Court set aside the Allahabad High Court's order and directed that Ravinder Mehta be released on bail upon furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court and complying with any conditions imposed.
The Court further directed that he must not influence witnesses, must regularly attend trial proceedings, and clarified that its observations should not be treated as findings on the merits of the case.
Case Details
Case Title: Ravinder Mehta v. State of Uttar Pradesh
Case Number: Criminal Appeal arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 9005 of 2026
Judge: Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu
Decision Date: 17 July 2026
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