How Ex-CJI Chandrachud's Bail Argument Applies to Umar Khalid’s UAPA Case

How Ex-CJI Chandrachud's Bail Argument Applies to Umar Khalid’s UAPA Case

A recent online discussion, highlighted by a trending search screenshot, has brought former Chief Justice of India (CJI) U.U. Lalit’s remarks on bail back into focus. While the graphic references “fast chandrachud,” it connects to a vital national conversation on pretrial detention spearheaded by legal experts, including former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud. Their arguments center on a simple yet profound principle: excessive delays in trials undermine justice itself. The Core Argument: Bail, Not Jail, Should Be the Default In various speeches and legal opinions, former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud has consistently emphasized that bail should be the rule, and jail the exception. This isn’t a new concept but a cornerstone of criminal jurisprudence, rooted in the presumption of innocence. However, the gap between this legal ideal and ground reality is stark. As highlighted in recent reports by Live Law and The Hindu, figures like Justice Lalit have pointed out that keeping undertrial prisoners incarcerated…