New Delhi

The Supreme Court has provided interim relief to a man facing prosecution in a dowry harassment and cruelty case by directing that no coercive action be taken against him until further orders.

A vacation bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Augustine George Masih passed the order while hearing a Special Leave Petition filed by Deepak Bhardwaj. The petition challenges a March 25, 2026 judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had upheld the cancellation of his bail.

The apex court has issued notice on the plea and scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 7, 2026.

Bail Cancellation Challenged

The case stems from criminal proceedings involving allegations of cruelty and dowry-related harassment. During the trial, Bhardwaj had been granted bail, but a court in Panipat later cancelled it after noting repeated absences from court proceedings.

Following the cancellation, warrants were issued and his bail bonds were forfeited. The Punjab and Haryana High Court subsequently declined to interfere with the trial court’s decision and directed him to surrender before the lower court.

Defence Cites Lack of Hearing

Representing the petitioner, advocate Ujwal Ghai argued before the Supreme Court that the trial court had revoked bail without first issuing notice or giving his client an opportunity to explain his absence.

According to the defence, the court proceeded directly to cancel the bail, issue warrants and initiate consequential proceedings without adhering to principles of natural justice.

The petitioner also submitted that he had been suffering from spinal ailments and had been advised bed rest by doctors. His inability to attend certain hearings, the defence argued, was due to medical reasons rather than any deliberate attempt to evade the judicial process.

Supreme Court's Interim Order

After considering the submissions, the Supreme Court directed the respondents to file their reply and granted interim protection to the petitioner.

The bench recorded an undertaking from Bhardwaj that he would personally appear before the trial court on all future dates unless exceptional circumstances prevented him from doing so.

Taking note of this assurance, the court ordered that no coercive measures be taken against him until the matter is examined further.

The court also clarified that respondents must submit their response before the next hearing and indicated that no additional time would be granted for filing pleadings.

READ MORE: Aabroo's rise triggered Muslim women's aspiration to join civil services

Next Hearing

The matter will now come up before the Supreme Court on August 7, when the court is expected to examine the validity of the bail cancellation order and the subsequent decisions passed by the lower courts.