Uday Mohanlal Acharya v. State of Maharashtra

📌 Citation

(2001) 5 SCC 453
Decided on: 29 March 2001
Bench (3 Judges):

• B. N. Agrawal

• Doraiswamy Raju

• K. T. Thomas

🔹 Background

The accused was in custody and the charge sheet was not filed within the statutory period prescribed under Section 167(2) CrPC.

He applied for default/statutory bail, but before the court could pass an order, the prosecution filed the charge sheet. The question arose:

👉 Does the accused lose the right to default bail if the charge sheet is filed after expiry of the statutory period but before the bail order is passed?

🔹 Core Issue

When does the right to default bail accrue, and when does it get extinguished?

🔹 Landmark Holding

The Supreme Court held:

1️⃣ Indefeasible Right

The right under Section 167(2) CrPC is an indefeasible right once the statutory period expires and the accused applies for bail.

2️⃣ When Right Accrues

The right accrues when:

• Statutory period (60 or 90 days) expires, AND

• The accused files an application expressing willingness to furnish bail.

3️⃣ Subsequent Filing of Charge Sheet

If the accused has already applied for default bail before filing of charge sheet, the prosecution cannot defeat that right by filing the charge sheet later.

However:

• If charge sheet is filed before the accused applies for default bail, the right does not survive.

🔹 Important Principle

Default bail is not a mere statutory formality — it is a safeguard of personal liberty under Article 21.

🔹 Legal Significance

This judgment became foundational for later decisions such as:

• Rakesh Kumar Paul v. State of Assam

It clarified procedural nuances regarding:

• Accrual of right

• Exercise of right

• Extinguishment of right

🔹 Practical Courtroom Application

✔ Always check:

• Date of arrest

• Date of expiry of 60/90 days

• Date of bail application

• Date of filing of charge sheet

Even a single day’s difference can decide entitlement.

🔹 Exam-Oriented Points

• “Indefeasible right” doctrine

• Application + readiness to furnish bail is essential

• Filing of charge sheet after bail application cannot defeat right

• Closely linked to Article 21

🔹 5-Mark Ready Answer Line

“In Uday Mohanlal Acharya (2001), the Supreme Court held that the right to default bail under Section 167(2) CrPC becomes indefeasible once the statutory period expires and the accused applies for bail, and it cannot be defeated by subsequent filing of the charge sheet.”