New Delhi, May 30 -- The Supreme Court on Friday issued a sweeping set of binding directions to all high courts across the country, mandating that bail applications be decided on the same day or, at the latest, within 24 hours of hearing, while also fixing a three-month outer limit for pronouncement of reserved judgments. In a landmark move aimed at tackling judicial delays affecting personal liberty and speedy justice, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi laid down an extensive framework to institutionalise transparency, accountability and timelines in judicial functioning, holding that intervention by the apex court had become necessary "for complete justice to the parties". The ruling came in proceedings arising out of prolonged delays in pronouncement of judgments by several high courts, particularly in criminal appeals involving life convicts who continued to remain in custody even after hearings had concluded and judgments had been reserved for years together. Pronouncing the judgment, CJI Kant said the guidelines would take effect immediately and directed registrar generals of all high courts to place the framework before their respective chief justices for implementation. "The high courts shall pronounce the judgment within a maximum period of three months from the date of reserving," directed the court. P4...