The Supreme Court of India on Monday granted bail to a woman accused in a murder case from Uttar Pradesh’s Mahoba district, observing that she had already spent nearly eight months in custody and that the trial had begun. The Bench of Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Justice Manmohan passed the order while hearing a Special Leave Petition filed by Janaki.
The case arises out of a May 2025 incident that led to serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
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Background of the Case
Janaki had approached the top court after the Allahabad High Court rejected her bail plea on September 1, 2025. She was arrested on May 23, 2025, along with her husband.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on May 21, 2025, around 8 PM. The complainant alleged that he received information that his younger brother, Vinod, was being assaulted by Janaki and her husband. When he tried to intervene, he too was allegedly attacked.
The complaint further stated that the accused persons grabbed Vinod by the neck and placed him under a truck. Based on these allegations, an FIR (First Information Report) was registered at Police Station Mahoba under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. A truck driver was also named as an accused.
After investigation, the police filed a charge-sheet, and charges have already been framed by the trial court.
Arguments Before the Court
Appearing for the petitioner, counsel argued that Janaki had been in custody for nearly eight months. It was also pointed out that the investigation was complete and the charge-sheet had already been filed, meaning her further detention was not necessary for investigative purposes.
The defence also emphasized that the petitioner is a woman and the mother of two small children. Her continued incarceration, it was submitted, would cause hardship to the family.
On the other hand, the State opposed the bail plea and relied on the seriousness of the allegations.
Court’s Observations
After hearing both sides, the Bench briefly noted the overall circumstances of the case. The judges recorded that the petitioner had undergone nearly eight months in custody. They also took into account that the investigation was complete, the charge-sheet had been filed, and charges had already been framed.
Importantly, the Court acknowledged that the petitioner is “a lady with two small children.”
The Bench observed that considering these factors, it was inclined to grant her bail.
The Decision
Allowing the petition, the Supreme Court directed that Janaki be released on bail, subject to the satisfaction of the Sessions Judge, Mahoba. This means the trial court will decide the specific bail conditions and verify compliance before releasing her.
With these directions, the Special Leave Petition was disposed of. All pending applications, if any, were also closed.
Case Title: Janaki vs State of Uttar Pradesh
Case No.: SLP (Crl.) No. 1711 of 2026
Decision Date: 16 February 2026
