ENGLISH PROJECT

SHARVIE JAIRATH
1
st
Year B.A. LL.B
Enrollment No. : 044165030!
PETITIONER:
H"SSAINARA #HAT$$N % $RS.
Vs.
RESPONDENT:
H$&E SE'RETARY( STATE $) BIHAR( *ATNA
DATE OF JUDGEMENT 1+,0+,1!-!
BENCH:
BHA./ATI( *.N.
BEN'H:
BHA./ATI( *.N.
*ATHA#( R.S.
#$SHAL( A.0.
CITATION:
1!-! AIR 1360 1!-! S'R 132 16!
1!0 S'' 112 1
ACT:
A3m4n4strat4on o5 J6st47e 8 *re8tr4al 3etent4on 8 R49:t o5 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners to :a<e a
s;ee3= tr4al8Art. +1 o5 'onst4t6t4on o5 In34a.
'onst4t6t4on o5 In34a 1!50 8 Arts. +1 an3 3!A 8 )ree le9al ser<47es to ;oor 4s an
essent4al element o5 >reasona?le 5a4r an3 @6stA ;ro7e36re.
'onst4t6t4on o5 In34a 1!50 8 Art. +18/omen Be;t 4n @a4l ?= Ca= o5 >;rote7t4<e
76sto3=A 8 V4olat4on o5 ;ersonal l4?ert=.
HEADNOTE:
1. LaC as ena7te3 ?= t:e Le94slat6re an3 as a3m4n4stere3 ?= t:e 7o6rts m6st
ra347all= 7:an9e 4ts a;;roa7: to ;re8tr4al 3etent4on an3 ens6re >reasona?le( @6st
an3 5a4rA ;ro7e36re.
+. S;ee3= tr4al 4s t:e essen7e o5 7r4m4nal @6st47e. S67: 3e;r4<at4on to 4n34<436als
res6lt4n9 4n t:e 3ela= 4n tr4al ?= 4tsel5 7onst4t6tes 3en4al o5 @6st47e. T:o69:
s;ee3= tr4al 4s not s;e74547all= en6merate3 as a 56n3amental r49:t( 4t 4s 4m;l474t
4n t:e ?roa3 sCee; an3 7ontent o5 Art. +1.
3. ED;e34t4o6s tr4al an3 5ree3om 5rom 3etent4on are ;art o5 :6man r49:ts an3
?as47 5ree3om. T:e @63474al s=stem ?= not :ol34n9 eD;e34t4o6s tr4al 4s 3en=4n9
:6man r49:ts to s67: 6n3er8tr4als t:ere?= maB4n9 laC an 4nstr6ment o5
4n@6st47e 4n s67: 3es;a4r4n9 <47t4ms.
+
4. T:e root 7a6se o5 o6r le9al an3 @63474al s=stem 7ont4n6all= 3en=4n9 @6st47e to
t:e ;oor 4n ;re8tr4al 3etent4on 4s a :49:l= 6nsat4s5a7tor= ?a4l s=stem( C:47:
s655ers 5rom a ;ro;ert= or4ente3 a;;roa7:. It ?e7omes an almost 4m;oss4?le
tasB 5or t:e ;oor to 54n3 ;ersons C:o 7an stan3 6; as sol<ent s6ret4es 5or t:em.
T:6s( t:e= rema4n 4n @a4l 6nt4l t:e t4me t:e 7o6rt 4s a?le to taBe 6; t:e4r 7ases
5or tr4al( lea34n9 to 9ra<e 7onseE6en7es( namel=:
1a2 t:e= are s6?@e7te3 to ;s=7:olo947al an3 ;:=s47al 3e;r4<at4ons o5 @a4l l45e(
t:o69: ;res6me3 4nno7ent.
1?2 t:e= are ;re<ente3 5rom 7ontr4?6t4n9 to t:e ;re;arat4on o5 t:e4r 3e5en7e.
172 t:e= lose t:e4r @o?( 45 t:e= :a<e one( an3 are 3e;r4<e3 o5 an o;;ort6n4t= to
CorB to s6;;ort t:emsel<es an3 t:e4r 5am4l= mem?ers.
T:e ?a4l s=stem 4n t:e ;resent 5orm 4s a 9reat :ar3s:4; to t:e ;oor. It 4s
4m;erat4<e to ra347all= re5orm t:4s s=stem ?= 7ons43er4n9 t:e roots o5
4n34<436als 4n t:e 7omm6n4t=( so t:at 4t s:o6l3 ?e ;oss4?le 5or t:e ;oor( as
eas4l= as t:e r47:( to o?ta4n ;re8tr4al release C4t:o6t @eo;ar34F4n9 t:e 4nterest o5
@6st47e. B6t 45 t:e a776se3 C4l56ll= 5a4ls to a;;ear 4n 7om;l4an7e C4t: t:e
;rom4se 7onta4ne3 4n :4s ;ersonal ?on3( :e s:all ?e l4a?le to stern ;enal a7t4on.
5. To 3eterm4ne C:et:er t:e a776se3 :as :4s roots 4n t:e 7omm6n4t=( C:47:
Co6l3 3eter :4m 5rom 5lee4n9( t:e 7o6rt s:o6l3 taBe 4nto a77o6nt t:e 5olloC4n9
5a7tors 7on7ern4n9 t:e a776se3:
1a2 t:e len9t: o5 :4s res43en7e 4n t:e 7omm6n4t=(
1?2 :4s em;lo=ment stat6s an3 em;lo=ment :4stor=(
172 :4s 5am4l= t4es an3 relat4ons:4;s(
132 :4s re;6tat4on( 7:ara7ter an3 monetar= 7on34t4ons(
1e2 :4s ;r4or 7r4m4nal re7or3 4n7l634n9 an= re7or3 o5 ;r4or release on
re7o9n4Fan7e or on ?a4l(
152 t:e nat6re o5 t:e o55en7e 7:ar9e3 an3 t:e l4Bel= senten7e.
T:e 7o6rt :a<4n9 7ons43ere3 a?o<e 5a7tors rele<ant to an 4n34<436al( ;la7e3
?e5ore 4t an3 on sat4s5a7t4on t:at t:e a776se3 :as stron9 t4es 4n t:e 7omm6n4t=
an3 t:ere 4s no s6?stant4al r4sB o5 non8a;;earan7e 4n<ol<e3( release :4m on a
;ersonal ?on3. In ot:er 7ases t:e 7o6rt ma= st4ll 7ont4n6e to release t:e
a776se3 on :4s ;ersonal ?on3 an3 also 4ns4st on ?a4l C4t: s6ret4es. T:e amo6nt
o5 ?on3( 45 ne7essar=( s:o6l3 not ?e as ;er s7:e36les ?6t t:e ;a=4n9 7a;a74t= o5
t:e 4n34<436al. )6rt:er( t:e 4nE64r= 4nto t:e sol<en7= o5 t:e a776se3 s:o6l3 not
?e7ome a so6r7e o5 :arassment ?= 7o6rt or ;ol47e C:47: o5ten res6lts 4n 3en4al
o5 ?a4l an3 3e;r4<at4on o5 l4?ert= on ;ersonal ?on3.
/:en a ;erson 4s a776se3 o5 more t:an one o55en7e( t:e senten7es o5
4m;r4sonment 4m;ose3 are 34re7te3 to r6n 7on76rrentl= ?6t ass6m4n9 t:e
senten7es o5 4m;r4sonment ?e 7onse76t4<e( t:e 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners s655er
4n7ar7erat4on 5or t:e maD4m6m ;er4o3 5or C:47: t:e= 7o6l3 ?e sent to @a4l on
7on<47t4on 5or m6lt4;le o55en7es. T:ere 4s a?sol6tel= no reason C:= t:e 6n3er8
tr4als ?e alloCe3 to 7ont4n6e 4n @a4l.
6. I5 laC 4s not onl= to s;eaB @6st47e ?6t also 3el4<er @6st47e( le9al a43 to s67:
6n3er8tr4als 4s an a?sol6te 4m;erat4<e. )ree le9al ser<47es to t:e ;oor an3
34stresse3 are an essent4al element.
3
-. )ree le9al ser<47e 4s an 4nal4ena?le element o5 >reasona?le( 5a4r an3 @6stA
;ro7e36re 5or C4t:o6t 4t a ;erson s655er4n9 5rom e7onom47 or ot:er 34sa?4l4t4es
Co6l3 ?e 3e;r4<e3 o5 t:e o;;ort6n4t= 5or se76r4n9 @6st47e.
. )ree le9al a43 4s a 7onst4t6t4onal r49:t o5 e<er= a776se3 ;erson C:o 4s 6na?le to
en9a9e a laC=er an3 se76re le9al ser<47es( on a77o6nt o5 reasons s67: as
;o<ert= or 4n7omm6n47a3o an3 :as lost to67: C4t: t:e o6ts43e Corl3( so t:e
State 4s 6n3er a man3ate to ;ro<43e a laC=er to an a776se3 ;erson.
!. In t:e a?sen7e o5 5ree le9al ser<47es( t:e ;oor 4n t:e4r 7onta7t C4t: t:e le9al
s=stem :a<e alCa=s ?een on t:e Cron9 s43e o5 t:e laC. T:e= :a<e alCa=s
7ome a7ross "law for th !oor" rat:er t:an "law of th !oor". T:e= re9ar3
t:e laC as somet:4n9 m=ster4o6s 8 alCa=s taB4n9 somet:4n9 aCa= 5rom t:em
an3 not as a 3e<47e 5or 7:an94n9 t:e so74o e7onom47 or3er an3 4m;ro<4n9 t:e4r
l45e 7on34t4ons. T:e res6lt 4s t:at t:e le9al s=stem :as lost 4ts 7re34?4l4t= 5or t:e
CeaBer se7t4ons o5 t:e 7omm6n4t=.
10. T:e eD;ress4on >;rote7t4<e 76sto3=A 4s 7al76late3 to 34s964se C:at 4s reall= an3
4n tr6t: not:4n9 ?6t 4m;r4sonment. It 4s an eD;ress4on 4nten3e3 to a;;ease t:e
7ons74en7e. T:4s so87alle3 >;rote7t4<e 76sto3=A 4s not:4n9 s:ort o5 a <4olat4on
o5 ;ersonal l4?ert= 96arantee3 6n3er Art. +1 o5 t:e 'onst4t6t4on( ?e7a6se t:ere
4s no ;ro<4s4on o5 laC 6n3er C:47: a Coman 7an ?e Be;t 4n @a4l ?= Ca= o5
>;rote7t4<e 76sto3=A 5or t:e ;6r;ose o5 94<4n9 e<43en7e.
In ;la7e o5 >;rote7t4<e 76sto3=A( t:e .o<ernment 4n a so74al Cel5are state m6st
set 6; res76e an3 Cel5are :omes 5or t:e ;6r;ose o5 taB4n9 7are o5 Comen an3
7:4l3ren C:o :a<e noC:ere else to 9o an3 are ot:erC4se 6n7are3 ?= so74et=.
JUDGEMENT:
$RI.INAL J"RIS0I'TI$N: /r4t *et4t4on No. 5- o5 1!-!.
&rs. #. H4n9oran4 5or t:e *et4t4oners
S. &. J:a an3 ". *. S4n9: 5or t:e Res;on3ent.
A 3eta4le3 or3er Cas ;asse3 on )e?r6ar= 1+( 1!-! ?= a 04<4s4on Ben7: on a :a?eas
7or;6s ;et4t4on 54le3 4n re9ar3 to t:e state o5 a55a4rs 4n B4:ar( C:ere an alarm4n9l=
lar9e n6m?er o5 men( Comen an3 7:4l3ren are 6n3er ;re8tr4al 3etent4on 4n <ar4o6s
;r4sons a7ross t:e state. T:e= :a<e ?een ?ooBe3 5or o55en7es t:at are tr4<4al an3 e<en
45 ;ro<e3( Co6l3 not Carrant ;6n4s:ment 5or more t:an a 5eC mont:s( ;er:a;s 5or a
=ear or tCo. T:ese 6n5ort6nate 6n3er8tr4als are 5or9otten s;e74mens o5 :6man4t=
lan964s:4n9 4n @a4ls an3 ?e4n9 3e;r4<e3 o5 t:e4r 5ree3om( 5or ;er4o3s ran94n9 5rom
t:ree to ten =ears C4t:o6t e<en as m67: as t:e4r tr4al :a<4n9 7ommen7e3. Lan964s:4n9
4n @a4ls 5or =ears( t:ese nameless ;ersons are ?e4n9 3en4e3 ?as47 :6man r49:ts. T:e=
are 4n @a4ls 5or o55en7es( C:47: ;er:a;s t:e= m49:t 6lt4matel= ?e 5o6n3 not to :a<e
7omm4tte3. T:e eD;e34t4o6s tr4al an3 5ree3om 5rom 3etent4on are ;art o5 :6man r49:ts
an3 ?as47 5ree3oms. &an= o5 t:ese 6n5ort6nate men an3 Comen m6st not e<en ?e
remem?er4n9 C:en t:e= entere3 t:e @a4l an3 5or C:at o55en7e. T:e= :a<e o<er t:e
=ears 7ease3 to ?e :6man ?e4n9s t:e= are mere t47Bet8n6m?ers. It 4s :49: t4me t:at t:e
;6?l47 7ons74en7e 4s aCaBene3 an3 t:e .o<ernment as Cell as t:e @63474ar= ?e94ns to
real4Fe t:at 4n t:e 3arB 7ells o5 o6r ;r4sons t:ere are lar9e n6m?ers o5 men an3 Comen
C:o are Ca4t4n9 ;at4entl=( 4m;at4entl= ;er:a;s( ?6t 4n <a4n( 5or @6st47e 8 a 7ommo34t=
C:47: 4s tra947all= ?e=on3 t:e4r rea7: an3 9ras;. LaC :as ?e7ome 5or t:em an
4
4nstr6ment o5 4n@6st47e an3 t:e= are :el;less an3 3es;a4r4n9 <47t4ms o5 t:e 7allo6sness
o5 t:e le9al an3 @63474al s=stem. T:e t4me :as 7ome C:en t:e le9al an3 @63474al s=stem
:as to ?e re<am;e3 an3 restr67t6re3 so t:at s67: 4n@6st47es 3o not o776r an3 34s5496res
t:e 5a4r an3 ot:erC4se l6m4no6s 5a7e o5 o6r nas7ent 3emo7ra7=.
TCo CeeBs ?e5ore t:4s @639ment( a not47e Cas ser<e3 to t:e State o5 B4:ar ?6t 4t 4s
6n5ort6nate t:at no one a;;eare3 on ?e:al5 o5 t:e State an3 t:ere5ore( at t:4s sta9e 4t
:as ?een 3e743e3 to ;ro7ee3 on t:e ?as4s o5 t:e alle9at4ons 7onta4ne3 4n t:e 4ss6es o5
t:e In34an ED;ress 3ate3 t: an3 !t: Jan6ar=( 1!-! C:47: are 4n7or;orate3 4n t:e Cr4t
;et4t4on. T:e 4n5ormat4on 7onta4ne3 4n t:ese neCs;a;er 76tt4n9s 4s most 34stress4n9
an3 4t 4s s655474ent to st4r t:e 7ons74en7e an3 34st6r? t:e eE6an4m4t= o5 an= so74all=
mot4<ate3 laC=er or @639e. Some o5 t:e 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners C:ose names are 94<en
4n t:e neCs;a;er 76tt4n9s :a<e ?een 4n @a4l 5or as man= as 5( - or ! =ears an3 a 5eC o5
t:em( e<en more t:an 10 =ears( C4t:o6t t:e4r tr4al :a<4n9 ?e96n. /:at 5a4t: 7an t:ese
lost so6ls :a<e 4n t:e @63474al s=stem C:47: 3en4es t:em a ?are tr4al 5or so man= =ears
an3 Bee; t:em ?e:4n3 ?ars( not ?e7a6se t:e= are 964lt=( ?6t ?e7a6se t:e= are too ;oor
to a55or3 ?a4l an3 t:e 7o6rts :a<e no t4me to tr= t:em. It 4s a tra<est= o5 @6st47e t:at
man= ;oor a776se3( Gl4ttle In34ans are 5or7e3 4nto lon9 7ell6lar ser<4t63e 5or l4ttle
o55en7esG ?e7a6se t:e ?a4l ;ro7e36re 4s ?e=on3 t:e4r mea9er means an3 tr4als 3onAt
7ommen7e an3 e<en 45 t:e= 3o( t:e= ne<er 7on7l63e. T:ere 7an ?e l4ttle 3o6?t( a5ter
t:e 3=nam47 4nter;retat4on ;la7e3 ?= t:4s 'o6rt on Art. +1 4n &aneBa .an3:4 <. "n4on
o5 In34a 112 t:at a ;ro7e36re( C:47: Bee;s s67: lar9e n6m?ers o5 ;eo;le ?e:4n3 ?ars
C4t:o6t tr4al so lon9 7annot ;oss4?l= ?e re9ar3e3 as Areasona?le( @6st or 5a4rA so as to
?e 4n 7on5orm4t= C4t: t:e reE64rement o5 t:at Art47le. It 4s ne7essar=( t:ere5ore( t:at
t:e laC as ena7te3 ?= t:e Le94slat6re an3 as a3m4n4stere3 ?= t:e 7o6rts m6st ra347all=
7:an9e 4ts a;;roa7: to ;re8tr4al 3etent4on an3 ens6re Areasona?le( @6st an3 5a4rA
;ro7e36re C:47: :as 7reat4<e 7onnotat4on a5ter &aneBa .an3:4As 7ase s6;ra.
NoC( one reason C:= o6r le9al an3 @63474al s=stem 7ont4n6all= 3en4es @6st47e to t:e
;oor ?= Bee;4n9 t:em 5or lon9 =ears 4n ;re8tr4al 3etent4on 4s o6r :49:l= 6nsat4s5a7tor=
?a4l s=stem. It s655ers 5rom a ;ro;ert= or4ente3 a;;roa7:( C:47: seems to ;ro7ee3 on
t:e erroneo6s ass6m;t4on t:at r4sB o5 monetar= loss 4s t:e onl= 3eterrent a9a4nst
5lee4n9 5rom @6st47e. T:e 'o3e o5 'r4m4nal *ro7e36re( e<en a5ter 4ts re8ena7tment(
7ont4n6es to a3o;t t:e same ant4E6ate3 a;;roa7: as t:e earl4er 'o3e ena7te3 toCar3s
t:e en3 o5 t:e last 7ent6r= an3 C:ere an a776se3 4s to ?e release3 on :4s ;ersonal
?on3( 4t 4ns4sts t:at t:e ?on3 s:o6l3 7onta4n a monetar= o?l49at4on reE64r4n9 t:e
a776se3 to ;a= a s6m o5 mone= 4n 7ase :e 5a4ls to a;;ear at t:e tr4al. &oreo<er( as 45
t:4s Cere not s655474ent 3eterrent to t:e ;oor( t:e 7o6rts me7:an47all= an3 as a matter
o5 7o6rse 4ns4st t:at t:e a776se3 s:o6l3 ;ro367e s6ret4es C:o C4ll stan3 ?a4l 5or :4m
an3 t:ese s6ret4es m6st a9a4n esta?l4s: t:e4r sol<en7= to ?e a?le to ;a= 6; t:e amo6nt
o5 t:e ?a4l 4n 7ase t:e a776se3 5a4ls to a;;ear to ansCer t:e 7:ar9e. T:4s s=stem o5 ?a4l
o;erates <er= :ars:l= a9a4nst t:e ;oor an3 4t 4s onl= t:e non8;oor C:o 4s a?le to taBe
a3<anta9e o5 4t ?= 9ett4n9 :4m release3 on ?a4l. T:e ;oor 54n3 4t 3455476lt to 56rn4s:
?a4l e<en C4t:o6t s6ret4es ?e7a6se <er= o5ten t:e amo6nt o5 t:e ?a4l 54De3 ?= t:e
7o6rts 4s so 6nreal4st47all= eD7ess4<e t:at 4n a ma@or4t= o5 7ases t:e ;oor are 6na?le to
sat4s5= t:e ;ol47e or t:e &a94strate a?o6t t:e4r sol<en7= 5or t:e amo6nt o5 t:e ?a4l an3
C:ere t:e ?a4l 4s C4t: s6ret4es( as 4s 6s6all= t:e 7ase( 4t ?e7omes an almost 4m;oss4?le
tasB 5or t:e ;oor to 54n3 ;ersons s655474entl= sol<ent to stan3 as s6ret4es. T:e res6lt 4s
t:at e4t:er t:e= are 5lee7e3 ?= t:e ;ol47e an3 re<en6e o55474als or ?= to6ts an3
5
;ro5ess4onal s6ret4es an3 somet4mes t:e= :a<e e<en to 4n76r 3e?ts 5or se76r4n9 t:e4r
release or( ?e4n9 6na?le to o?ta4n release( t:e= :a<e to rema4n 4n @a4l 6nt4l s67: t4me as
t:e 7o6rt 4s a?le to taBe 6; t:e4r 7ases 5or tr4al( lea34n9 to 9ra<e 7onseE6en7es. T:e
;oor 54n3 o6r le9al an3 @63474al s=stem o;;ress4<e an3 :ea<4l= Ce49:te3 a9a4nst t:em
an3 a 5eel4n9 o5 5r6strat4on an3 3es;a4r o776rs 6;on t:em as t:e= 54n3 t:at t:e= are
:el;lessl= 4n a ;os4t4on o5 4neE6al4t= C4t: t:e non8;oor.
T:e ?a4l s=stem( as 4t o;erates to3a=( 4s a so6r7e o5 9reat :ar3s:4; to t:e ;oor( to
el4m4nate t:e e<4l e55e7ts o5 ;o<ert= an3 ass6re a 5a4r an3 @6st treatment to t:e ;oor 4n
t:e a3m4n4strat4on o5 @6st47e( 4t 4s 4m;erat4<e t:at t:e ?a4l s=stem s:o6l3 ?e t:oro69:l=
re5orme3 so t:at 4t s:o6l3 ?e ;oss4?le 5or t:e ;oor( as eas4l= as t:e r47: to o?ta4n ;re8
tr4al release C4t:o6t @eo;ar34F4n9 t:e 4nterest o5 @6st47e. It 4s :49: t4me t:at o6r
*arl4ament real4Fe3 t:at r4sB o5 monetar= loss 4s not t:e onl= 3eterrent a9a4nst 5lee4n9
5rom @6st47e( ?6t t:ere are also ot:er 5a7tors( C:47: a7t as eE6al 3eterrents to t:4s
e55e7t. $6rs 4s a so74al4st re;6?l47 7o6ntr= C4t: so74al @6st47e as t:e s49nat6re t6ne o5
o6r 7onst4t6t4on an3 *arl4ament Co6l3 3o Cell to 7ons43er C:et:er 4t Co6l3 not ?e
more 7onsonant C4t: t:e et:os o5 o6r 7onst4t6t4on t:at 4nstea3 o5 r4sB o5 54nan74al loss(
ot:er rele<ant 7ons43erat4ons s67: as 5am4l= t4es( roots 4n t:e 7omm6n4t=( @o? se76r4t=(
mem?ers:4; o5 sta?le or9an4Fat4ons et7.( s:o6l3 ?e t:e 3eterm4nat4<e 5a7tors 4n 9rant
o5 ?a4l an3 t:e a776se3 4n a;;ro;r4ate 7ases ?e release3 on :4s ;ersonal ?on3 C4t:o6t
monetar= o?l49at4on. $5 7o6rse( 4t ma= ?e ne7essar= 4n s67: a 7ase to ;ro<43e an
amen3ment o5 t:e ;enal laC t:at 45 t:e a776se3 C4l56ll= 5a4ls to a;;ear 4n 7om;l4an7e
C4t: t:e ;rom4se 7onta4ne3 4n :4s ;ersonal ?on3( :e s:all ?e l4a?le to ;enal a7t4on. B6t
e<en 6n3er t:e laC as 4t stan3s to3a= t:e 7o6rts m6st a?an3on t:e ant4E6ate3 7on7e;t
6n3er C:47: ;re8tr4al release 4s or3ere3 onl= a9a4nst ?a4l C4t: s6ret4es. T:at 7on7e;t 4s
o6t3ate3 an3 eD;er4en7e :as s:oCn t:at 4t :as 3one more :arm t:an 9oo3. T:e neC
4ns49:t 4nto t:e s6?@e7t o5 ;re8tr4al release C:47: :as ?een 3e<elo;e3 4n so74all=
a3<an7e3 7o6ntr4es an3 ;art476larl= t:e "n4te3 States s:o6l3 noC re5le7t 4n t:e
3e74s4ons o5 o6r 'o6rts 4n re9ar3 to ;re8tr4al release. I5 t:e 'o6rt 4s sat4s54e3( a5ter
taB4n9 4nto a77o6nt( on t:e ?as4s o5 4n5ormat4on ;la7e3 ?e5ore 4t( t:at t:e a776se3 :as
:4s roots 4n t:e 7omm6n4t= an3 4s not l4Bel= to a?s7on3( 4t 7an sa5el= release t:e
a776se3 on :4s ;ersonal ?on3.
B6t 4n ma@or4t= o5 t:e 7ases( 7ons43erat4ons l4Be 5am4l= t4es an3 relat4ons:4;( roots 4n
t:e 7omm6n4t=( em;lo=ment stat6s et7. ma= ;re<a4l C4t: t:e 7o6rt 4n releas4n9 t:e
a776se3 on :4s ;ersonal ?on3 an3 ;art476larl= 4n 7ases C:ere t:e o55en7e 4s not 9ra<e
an3 t:e a776se3 4s ;oor or ?elon9s to a CeaBer se7t4on o5 t:e 7omm6n4t=( release on
;ersonal ?on3 7o6l3( as 5ar as ;oss4?le( ?e ;re5erre3. B6t e<en C:4le releas4n9 t:e
a776se3 on ;ersonal ?on3 4t 4s ne7essar= to 7a6t4on t:e 7o6rt t:at t:e amo6nt o5 t:e
?on3( C:47: 4t 54Des( s:o6l3 not ?e ?ase3 merel= on t:e nat6re o5 t:e 7:ar9e. T:e
3e74s4on as re9ar3s t:e amo6nt o5 t:e ?on3 s:o6l3 ?e an 4n34<436al4Fe3 3e74s4on
3e;en34n9 on t:e 4n34<436al 54nan74al 74r76mstan7es o5 t:e a776se3 an3 t:e
;ro?a?4l4t= o5 :4s a?s7on34n9. T:e amo6nt o5 t:e ?on3 s:o6l3 ?e 3eterm4ne3
7ons43er4n9 t:ese rele<ant 5a7tors an3 s:o6l3 not ?e 54De3 me7:an47all= a77or34n9 to a
s7:e36le Be=e3 to t:e nat6re o5 t:e 7:ar9e. $t:erC4se( 4t Co6l3 ?e 3455476lt 5or t:e
a776se3 to se76re :4s release e<en ?= eDe76t4n9 a ;ersonal ?on3. &oreo<er( C:en t:e
a776se3 4s release3 on :4s ;ersonal ?on3( 4t Co6l3 ?e <er= :ars: an3 o;;ress4<e 45 :e
4s reE64re3 to sat4s5= t:e 7o6rt an3 t:4s a;;l4es eE6all= 4n relat4on to t:e ;ol47e C:4le
9rant4n9 ?a4l8t:at :e 4s sol<ent eno69: to ;a= t:e amo6nt o5 t:e ?on3 4n 7ase :e 5a4ls
6
to a;;ear at t:e tr4al an3 4n 7onseE6en7e t:e ?on3 4s 5or5e4te3. T:e 4nE64r= 4nto t:e
sol<en7= o5 t:e a776se3 7an ?e7ome a so6r7e o5 9reat :arassment to :4m an3 o5ten
res6lt 4n 3en4al o5 ?a4l an3 3e;r4<at4on o5 l4?ert= an3 s:o6l3 not( t:ere5ore( ?e 4ns4ste3
6;on as a 7on34t4on o5 a77e;tan7e o5 t:e ;ersonal ?on3. It 4s 5or t:4s reason t:e 7o6rt
34re7ts t:at t:e 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners C:ose names are 94<en 4n t:e tCo 4ss6es o5 t:e
In34an ED;ress s:o6l3 ?e release3 5ort:C4t: on t:e4r ;ersonal ?on3. T:e 7o6rt 56rt:er
34re7te3 all Comen an3 7:4l3ren 4n t:e @a4ls 4n t:e State o5 B4:ar 6n3er >;rote7t4<e
76sto3=A s:o6l3 ?e release3 an3 taBen 5ort:C4t: to Cel5are :omes or res76e :omes
an3 s:o6l3 ?e Be;t t:ere an3 ;ro;erl= looBe3 a5ter.
$r34nar4l= t:ese ;ersons s:o6l3 eDe76te ;ersonal ?on3 C4t: monetar= o?l49at4on( ?6t
as an eD7e;t4onal meas6re t:ere nee3 not ?e an= monetar= o?l49at4on 4n t:e ;ersonal
?on3 ?e7a6se t:e 7o6rt 5o6n3 t:at all t:ese ;ersons :a<e ?een 4n8@a4l C4t:o6t tr4al 5or
se<eral =ears( an3 4n some 7ases 5or o55en7es C:ere t:e ;6n4s:ment Co6l3 4n all
;ro?a?4l4t= ?e less t:an t:e ;er4o3 o5 t:e4r 3etent4on. S67: an 6n6s6al 7o6rse o5 a7t4on
:as ?een 347tate3 5or t:e ;e76l4ar 5a7ts an3 74r76mstan7es o5 t:e 7ase.
T:ere 4s also one ot:er 4n54rm4t= o5 t:e le9al an3 @63474al s=stem( C:47: 4s res;ons4?le
5or t:4s 9ross 3en4al o5 @6st47e to t:e 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners an3 t:at 4s t:e notor4o6s
3ela= 4n 34s;osal o5 7ases. It 4s a ?a3 re5le7t4on on t:e le9al an3 @63474al s=stem t:at
t:e tr4al o5 an a776se3 3oes not e<en 7ommen7e 5or a lon9 t4me. E<en a 3ela= o5 one
=ear 4n t:e 7ommen7ement o5 t:e tr4al 4s ?a3 eno69:H :oC m67: Corse 7o6l3 4t ?e
C:en t:e 3ela= 4s as lon9 as 3 or 5 or - or e<en 10 =ears. S;ee3= tr4al 4s t:e essen7e o5
7r4m4nal @6st47e an3 t:ere 7an ?e no 3o6?t t:at 3ela=s 4n tr4al ?= 4tsel5 7onst4t6te 3en4al
o5 @6st47e. "n3er o6r 'onst4t6t4on( t:o69: s;ee3= tr4al 4s not s;e74547all= en6merate3
as a 56n3amental r49:t( 4t 4s 4m;l474t 4n t:e ?roa3 sCee; an3 7ontent o5 Art47le +1 as
4nter;rete3 ?= t:4s 'o6rt 4n &aneBa .an3:4 <. "n4on o5 In34a. In t:4s 7ase( 4t Cas :el3
t:at Art47le +1 7on5ers a 56n3amental r49:t on e<er= ;erson t:at :e s:o6l3 not ?e
3e;r4<e3 o5 :4s l45e or l4?ert= eD7e;t 4n a77or3an7e C4t: t:e ;ro7e36re ;res7r4?e3 ?=
laC. I5 a ;erson 4s 3e;r4<e3 o5 :4s l4?ert= 6n3er a ;ro7e36re C:47: 4s not Greasona?le(
5a4r or @6stG( s67: 3e;r4<at4on Co6l3 ?e <4olat4<e o5 :4s 56n3amental r49:t 6n3er
Art47le +1 an3 :e Co6l3 ?e ent4tle3 to en5or7e s67: 56n3amental r49:t an3 se76re :4s
release. $?<4o6sl= t:e ;ro7e36re ;res7r4?e3 ?= laC 5or 3e;r4<4n9 a ;erson o5 :4s
l4?ert= 7annot ?e >reasona?le( 5a4r or @6stA 6nless t:at ;ro7e36re ens6res a s;ee3= tr4al
5or 3eterm4nat4on o5 t:e 964lt o5 s67: ;erson. T:e ;ro7e36re t:at 3oes not ens6re a
reasona?le E647B tr4al 7an ?e re9ar3e3 as >reasona?le( 5a4r or @6stA an3 4t Co6l3 5all
5o6l o5 Art47le +1. T:ere 7an( t:ere5ore( ?e no 3o6?t t:at s;ee3= tr4al an3 ?= s;ee3=
tr4al t:e 7o6rt means reasona?l= eD;e34t4o6s tr4al( 4s an 4nte9ral an3 essent4al ;art o5
t:e 56n3amental r49:t to l45e an3 l4?ert= ens:r4ne3 4n Art47le +1. It 4s :49: t4me t:at t:e
State .o<ernment real4Fe3 4ts res;ons4?4l4t= to t:e ;eo;le 4n t:e matter o5
a3m4n4strat4on o5 @6st47e an3 set 6; more 7o6rts 5or t:e tr4al o5 7ases. It Co6l3 not ?e
eno69: merel= to esta?l4s: more 7o6rts ?6t t:e State .o<ernment Co6l3 also :a<e to
man t:em ?= 7om;etent @639es an3 C:ate<er 4s ne7essar= 5or t:e ;6r;ose o5
re7r64t4n9 7om;etent @639es( s67: as 4m;ro<4n9 t:e4r 7on34t4ons o5 ser<47e( Co6l3
:a<e to ?e 3one ?= t:e State .o<ernment( 45 t:e= Cant to 4m;ro<e t:e s=stem o5
a3m4n4strat4on o5 @6st47e an3 maBe 4t an e55e7t4<e 4nstr6ment 5or 3el4<er4n9 @6st47e to
t:e lar9e masses o5 ;eo;le 5or C:om @6st47e 4s to3a= a mean4n9less an3 em;t= Cor3.
-
/:4le t:ere 7an ?e no 3o6?t t:at 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners s:o6l3 not lan964s: 4n @a4ls on
a77o6nt o5 re56sal to :a<e ?a4l as 4t 56rn4s:es monetar= o?l49at4ons. S=m;at:= 5or t:e
6n3er8tr4als C:o are 4n @a4l 5or lon9 terms on a77o6nt o5 t:e ;en3en7= o5 7ases :as to
?e ?alan7e3 :a<4n9 re9ar3 to t:e 4m;a7t o5 7r4me( more ;art476larl=( ser4o6s 7r4me.
T:e ;r4soner 3oes not sta= 4n @a4l ?e7a6se :e 4s 964lt=( :e 3oes not sta= 4n @a4l ?e7a6se
an= senten7e :as ?een ;asse3( an3 :e 3oes not sta= 4n @a4l ?e7a6se :e 4s an= more
l4Bel= to 5lee ?e5ore tr4al. H sta"s #$ %a#l for o$ raso$ o$l"&'(a)s h #s
!oor*****"
T:e 7ommon ;eo;le 5eel a sense o5 rel4e5 t:at t:ese ;r4soners s:o6l3 on7e a9a4n ?e
a?le to ?reat:e t:e a4r o5 5ree3om. T:ere are st4ll man= more 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners C:o
5all C4t:4n t:4s 7ate9or= o5 ;ersons an3 :a<e ?een 4n 3etent4on C4t:o6t t:e4r tr4al
:a<4n9 ?een 7ommen7e3. To3a=( t:ese ;r4soners :a<e ?een 4n @a4l 5or ;er4o3s lon9er
t:an t:e maD4m6m term 5or C:47: t:e= 7o6l3 :a<e ?een senten7e3( 45 7on<47te3. Th#s
+#s(loss a sho(,#$- stat of affa#rs a$+ 'tra"s (o.!lt la(, of (o$(r$ for
h).a$ /al)s* It eD;oses t:e 7allo6sness o5 o6r le9al an3 @63474al s=stem( C:47: 7an
rema4n 6nmo<e3 ?= s67: enormo6s m4ser= an3 s655er4n9s res6lt4n9 5rom totall=
6n@6st454e3 3e;r4<at4on o5 ;ersonal l4?ert=. It 4s 4n3ee3 3455476lt 5or 4n34<436als to
6n3erstan3 :oC t:e State .o<ernment 7o6l3 ;oss4?l= rema4n o?l4<4o6s to t:e
7ont4n6e3 4n7ar7erat4on o5 t:ese 6n3er8tr4al ;r4soners 5or =ears C4t:o6t e<en t:e4r tr4al
:a<4n9 7ommen7e3. Cr#.#$al (o)rts ar $(ss#t#s0 $ot l)1)r#s. T:e r49:t o5 one
7:ar9e3 C4t: 7r4me to 7o6nsel ma= not ?e 3eeme3 56n3amental an3 essent4al to 5a4r
tr4als 4n some 7o6ntr4es( ?6t 4s 4n o6rs. )rom t:e <er= ?e94nn4n9( o6r state an3 nat4onal
7onst4t6t4ons an3 laCs :a<e la43 9reat em;:as4s on ;ro7e36ral an3 s6?stant4<e
sa5e96ar3s 3es49ne3 to ass6re 5a4r tr4als ?e5ore 4m;art4al tr4?6nals 4n C:47: e<er=
3e5en3ant stan3s eE6al ?e5ore t:e laC. T:e 7o6rt s:o6l3 7ons43er t:e ;ro?a?le
senten7e t:at C4ll 5olloC 45 a 7on<47t4on 4s o?ta4ne3.
Th !r#.ar" !r#$(#!l of (r#.#$al law #s that #.!r#so$.$t .a" follow a
%)+-.$t of -)#lt ')t sho)l+ $ot !r(+ #t*