In a recently decided case of “Baby Devassy Chully @ Bobby
vs. Union of India & Ors.” CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 866 OF 2008, Hon’ble Supreme
Court has reminded High Courts to take efforts for early decision in matter
affecting personal liberty as per following:
“By this
appeal, we remind all the High Courts that
in a matter
of this nature affecting the personal liberty of a citizen, it is
the duty
of the Courts to take all endeavours and efforts for an
early decision. In the case on hand, we feel that keeping
the writ petition
pending after hearing the parties
and compelling the detenu to wait for 5 months
to know the result of his
petition, cannot be accepted. We request
all the High Courts to give priority
for the disposal
of the matters
relating to personal liberty of a
citizen, particularly, when the
detention period is for one year or less than a year and, more
so, after hearing the
parties, the decision must be
known to the
affected party without
unreasonable delay.” [Para 15]
See the entire judgement: