In a critical effort to address the backlog of bail applications, the Supreme Court of India has instructed High Courts to prioritize these cases to protect personal liberties. Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that delays in bail hearings are particularly severe in the Allahabad and Patna High Courts. The Supreme Court highlighted that despite judges managing hundreds of cases daily, the 'pendency is too large' in these jurisdictions. To combat this, the Court has established new guidelines requiring bail applications to be listed weekly or bi-weekly, with fresh applications to be heard within a week of filing. Additionally, an automatic relisting system for unheard bail pleas every two weeks has been mandated. The Court also emphasized that states and the Union government should not be granted casual adjournments in these matters, reinforcing the judicial responsibility to uphold fundamental rights. Furthermore, the Supreme Court urged for timely submission of forensic reports and a collaborative approach between High Courts and investigative agencies to ensure efficient processing of bail applications without compromising victim rights.