Murder Convict Gets Bail After 14 Years In Custody

Ritu Pal was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Baghpat Court in Uttar Pradesh on January 14 2008. He was facing charges under murder for killing a man in February 2014 in Baghpat district.

The Supreme Court has granted bail to one accused observing that his appeal is pending before the Allahabad High Court since 2012 and he has already undergone 14 years and 3 months of custody.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana granted bail to Ritu Pal after "taking into consideration the fact that the petitioner has already undergone 14 years and 3 months of actual custody and about 17 years of total custody with remission."

The Court also noted that the co-accused have already been released on bail and the bail application of the petitioner is pending consideration before the High Court since 2012 and said, "We deem it to be fit case to grant him bail. The petitioner is, accordingly, directed to be enlarged on bail on such terms and conditions as the trial court may deem appropriate to impose upon him."

Accused Ritu Pal was represented by advocate Rishi Malhotra.