ORDER :

Delay condoned.

1. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and perused the order impugned rejecting the prayer for their release on bail pending disposal of their appeal against their conviction under Sections 148, 302 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code recorded by the Trial Court by its judgment and order dated 20.01.2007. Noticeably, the incident is of 22.09.2005 and the appeal filed by the petitioners against their conviction is of the year 2007.

On a consideration of the materials on record to the extent necessary at this stage and qua the prayer for bail, we are not inclined to interfere with the order impugned. However, having regard to the insistent plea on behalf of the petitioners to indicate a time frame for the disposal of the appeal, we request the High Court, having regard to the singular facts and circumstances of the case, to decide the appeal within a period of four months herefrom. In making this request, we have taken note of the persistent submission on behalf of the petitioners that having regard to the huge pendency of cases including criminal appeals before the High Court, it would in normal course of things, take several more years for