The Delhi High Court bail ruling in Vijay Gupta v State (NCT of Delhi) has clarified that bail petitions cannot be rejected merely because they are bulky or voluminous. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma criticised the trial court for dismissing a bail plea in a POCSO Act case on the ground that the petition ran into nearly 500 pages, underscoring that liberty must hinge on substance, not form.

📜 Case Background: Advocate Suspended by BCI for Contemptuous Conduct

Detail	Description
Case Title	Vijay Gupta v State (NCT of Delhi)
Court	Delhi High Court
Judge	Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Statute Involved	Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act)
Trial Court Order	Bail plea dismissed citing “voluminous” petition
High Court Order	Bail plea dismissed, citing “voluminous” petition

The trial court had rejected Vijay Gupta’s bail plea in October 2025 without examining its merits, citing docket pressure and the length of the petition. Gupta challenged the order before the High Court, alleging denial of fair hearing.

🧑‍⚖️ Delhi High Court’s Observations

• Bail petitions must be decided on substance, not form.
• The liberty of an accused cannot hinge upon the perceived “bulk” of papers.
• Even if a bail application runs into hundreds of pages, that alone cannot justify dismissal.
• At best, courts may direct counsel to confine submissions or file a short synopsis.
• Once notice is issued and the matter listed for arguments, the trial court is duty-bound to hear the accused.
• Docket pressure is not a lawful ground to deny bail consideration.

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💬 Vakilify Insight

This ruling underscores the principle that procedural convenience cannot override fundamental rights. The High Court’s emphasis on substance over form ensures that access to justice and fair hearing remain paramount, even in cases involving voluminous pleadings.

🔗 Related Reading and Links

• 👉 Explainer: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act)
• 👉 Vakilify Blog: Maintenance Denied to Wife – CrPC Section 125