Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan raises concerns about how courts handle bail and the impact of restrictive conditions on people exercising dissent. In remarks reported by multiple outlets, he questions whether certain actions taken in the context of a protest—specifically eating chicken over the Ganga river—amount to any crime, saying that no law prohibits it. Alongside this, he draws attention to the broader pattern of courts granting relief belatedly, rather than promptly. Justice Bhuyan also criticizes bail orders that come with stringent conditions, arguing that such restrictions can discourage citizens from expressing views and participating in public discourse.
The judge links these concerns to cases involving students and others arrested for actions connected to environmental or protest-related activity. He notes that in some instances, people face prolonged detention even for minor or arguable offenses, and he urges a critical examination of judicial decisions to improve the system. Overall, the remarks focus on balancing legal processes with the protection of fundamental rights, particularly the ability to dissent.
