Prolonged detention before trial cannot become a substitute for punishment, India's Supreme Court has reiterated while granting bail to two accused in a corruption case involving government contracts worth ₹979.45 crore.

The ruling concerned Mahesh Chandra Joshi and Mukesh Pathak, accused of involvement in alleged tender irregularities under Rajasthan's Jal Jeevan Mission.

Prosecutors alleged that forged completion certificates and acceptance letters were used to obtain 104 work orders between 2021 and 2023.

A Bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but found that continued detention was unnecessary.

The investigation had been completed, chargesheets filed and relevant documentary evidence seized. Further custodial interrogation was not required.

The Court also considered the length of detention. Joshi had spent more than five months in custody, while Pathak had been detained for nearly eight months.

With 22 accused, 124 prosecution witnesses and more than 20,000 pages of records, the trial was expected to take considerable time. Charges had not yet been framed.

Invoking Article 21 of the Constitution, the Court emphasised that personal liberty and the right to a speedy trial must remain central to bail decisions.

for more, visit : https://thelawreporters.com/india-supreme-court-pre-trial-detention-bail-rajasthan-corruption-case