Single judge SC bench to hear bail plea in offences of up to 7 yr prison

A single-judge bench of the Supreme Court would hear from May 13 appeals of bail and anticipatory bail in cases related to offences entailing jail term of up to seven years and application for transfer of cases.

It is for the first time since its inception that the top court has provided for sitting of a single-judge bench to hear matters.

The apex court till now normally used to sit in the combination of two or three judges, besides constitution benches.

To reduce the huge pendency of the cases, the apex court had made certain amendments to the Supreme Court