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Synopsis

While holding that an ex­-parte stay of the order granting bail, as a standard rule, should not be granted, the Supreme Court of India has added that the power to grant an ex­parte interim stay of a bail order has to be exercised in very rare and exceptional cases where the situation demands the passing of such an order.

"While considering the prayer for granting an ex­parte stay, the concerned Court must apply its mind and decide whether the case is very exceptional, warranting the exercise of drastic power to grant an ex­parte stay of the order granting bail. Liberty granted to an accused under the order granting bail cannot be lightly and causally interfered with by mechanically granting an ex­-parte order of stay of the bail order...", a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and AG Masih has held.

Court has further observed that since the issue involved is of liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution, if an  ex­parte stay is granted, by issuing a short notice to the accused, the Court must immediately hear him on the continuation of the stay.

"While issuing notice on an application for cancellation of bail, without passing a drastic order of stay, if the facts so warrant, the High Court can, by way of an interim order, impose additional bail conditions on the accused, which will ensure that the accused does not flee", Court has added. 

Noting that an undertrial is not a convict, the top court has said an interim relief can be granted in the aid of the final relief which could be finally granted in proceedings. 

With this view court has set aside the stay on bail granted by the Delhi High Court to one Parvinder Singh Khurana, accused in a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Case Title: Parvinder Singh Khurana vs. Directorate of Enforcement accused