(1.) This is a group of petitions wherein the Central question that arises for decision is as under:
(2.) In all the petitions it has been urged that there should be an outer time-limit to concretise the right to a speedy trial in view of the fundamental rights enshrined in Art. 21 of the Constitution and it it appears to the Court that such an outer limit has passed or will necessarily pass in all these petitions then on that ground alone the petitioners should be released on bail.
(3.) In support of the submissions made in this behalf Mr. K. J. Shethna learned Advocate appearing for many petitioners in the present group has relied on a number of authorities. The first authority on which Mr. Shethna has relied is the one in the case of Anurag Baitha v. State of Bihar AIR 1987 Patna 274 In this judgment there has been a reference tn an earlier Full Bench decision of the Patna High Court in the case of Madheshwardhari Singh & Anr. v. State of Bihar AIR 1986 Patna 324.