In a significant ruling today, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the ongoing liquor policy case. During the proceedings, the Court expressed concern that trial courts and high courts across the country seem to have neglected the principle that “bail is the rule, jail an exception.”The Supreme Court remarked that lower courts often appear to “play safe” when deciding bail matters, deviating from the established principle that bail should generally be granted unless there are compelling reasons for denial. The Court’s observations highlight a broader issue in the judicial system, where the approach to bail has shifted away from its foundational principles.The ruling underscores the need for a consistent and principled approach to bail decisions, reinforcing the notion that bail should be the standard presumption rather than an exception.