Let accused stay in custody to reduce weight: Justice Bela Trivedi of Supreme Court
The judge has previously said that the Supreme Court should not deal with bail matters.
Feb 28, 2025, 22:17 IST
Justice Bela Trivedi of the Supreme Court on Friday made a controversial remark while hearing a plea for relief filed by a person in custody.
When the counsel for the accused woman pointed out that his client was overweight, Justice Trivedi asked,
"Should that be the ground for relief?"
The lawyer then said that he was alluding to the ailments his client was suffering from. At this point, the judge replied,
"Let her stay in custody so that her weight is reduced."
On February 28, 2025, during a Supreme Court hearing, Justice Bela M. Trivedi made a notable remark concerning an accused woman's bail plea. The defense counsel highlighted the woman's health issues related to her weight, seeking relief on these grounds. In response, Justice Trivedi questioned, "Should that be the ground for relief?" Upon further clarification about the health concerns, she commented, "Let her stay in custody so that her weight is reduced."
Justice Trivedi is recognized for her stringent stance on bail matters. In a May 2024 hearing, she expressed that the Supreme Court should not routinely intervene in bail issues, stating, "Bail matters, Supreme Court should not interfere. That is my opinion. It should rest and end with High Courts… Supreme Court has become a bail court."
These remarks have ignited discussions about the judiciary's role in personal health considerations of individuals in custody and the broader implications of denying bail based on such factors.