Supreme Court in the case of “Bikranjit Singh vs. State of Punjab” held that the right to default bail is not merely a statutory right under the provisions of Section 167(2) CRPC, but is a part of procedure established under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which is, therefore, a fundamental right granted to an accused person.

The makers of the constitution have given the right to personal liberty as the highest priority, which can only be taken away by the procedure established by law.

Are you a victim of illegal detention? Do you know what rights about bail, you or your known ones have in case of arrest?

Section 167(2) CRPC provides for one of the lesser known right granted by the

law, ‘Default Bail’.

It provides for the default bail after the expiry of a specific period, within which the investigating officer has to file the charge sheet. If after the expiry of the period, Investigating Officer has not filed the charge sheet, you are entitled to default bail.

Under Section 167(2) CRPC, the accused becomes entitled to be automatically released on bail when a charge-sheet is not filed within:

• Within 90 days, when investigation relates to an offence that is punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years;
• Within 60 days, where the investigation relates to an offence punishable with imprisonment less than 10 years;

Further, in the case of “Suresh Jain vs. State of Maharashtra” Supreme

Court held that “A person accused of an offense acquires an ‘indefeasible right’ to be granted bail, on meeting the bail conditions if the investigation is not completed within the specified period. The magistrate is mandatorily required to release the accused person. Any detention beyond the period is illegal.”

Thus, the object behind granting default bail are: 

• To expedite the investigation process;
• Ensure personal liberty of the accused;
• And, to do justice to the accused in the long

APPLICATION FOR DEFAULT BAIL

You or any of your family members on your behalf  can file an application for default bail.

 CONTENTS OF BAIL APPLICATION:

• Name of the court which has the jurisdiction to entertain the application;
• Name of the applicant;
• FIR No., under Sections& Name of Police Station;
• Subject:Application for bail under Section 167(2) CRPC;
• Details of the arrest of the applicant: Police Station name, date of arrest;
• Statement to the effect that applicant was produced before the court on date and since then has been in Police/Judicial custody;
• The statutory period of investigation of 60/90 days have been expired and no investigation report has been presented by the police;
• Surety that applicant will abide by the terms and conditions being imposed by the court;
• Prayer to the effect of grant of bail;