An unsustainable bail order does not become valid with the mere passage of time or subsequent behavior of accused

Whether post bail good conduct of the accused can retrospectively validate an  otherwise legally  unsustainable  bail  order  that  was  granted  without 

 proper consideration of material factors — Held, while post bail good conduct or period of incarceration may be relevant considerations at the stage of continuing bail, they cannot cure the fundamental defects in an order granting bail which is otherwise perverse, legally untenable, or passed without due consideration of material factors — An unsustainable bail order does not become valid with the mere passage of time or subsequent behaviour of accused

Per R. Mahadevan, J.

While post-bail good conduct or the period of incarceration may be relevant considerations at the stage of continuing bail, they cannot cure the fundamental defects in an order granting bail which is otherwise perverse, legally untenable, or passed without due consideration of material factors such as the gravity of the offence, prima facie involvement, and the likelihood of influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence. An unsustainable bail order does not become valid with the mere passage of time or the subsequent behaviour of the accused. Judicial scrutiny must focus on whether the discretion to grant bail was exercised judiciously, and in accordance with established principles, at the time of the grant, and not mechanically or on technicalities. Therefore, the order of the High Court granting bail to the respondents / accused, deserves to be set aside.