Harjit Singh Bedi, J.

1. Vide order dated September 8, 1999, we had granted bail to the accused-appellant. We now give detailed reasons for doing so and also make an attempt to frame certain guidelines for the grant of bail where appeals against conviction filed in the High Court by those who stand convicted for life and which cannot be heard with reasonable expedition should be deal with. While issuing notice on the bail application, we had invited all Counsels, who wished to assist us, to address us on the question posed.

2. Mr. R.S. Ghai, Sr. Advocate, the appellants Counsel in this case, Mr. P.S. Mann, Mr. R.S. Cheema, Sr. Advocates and Mr. R.T.P.S. Tulsi, Advocate, had appeared before us to project the point of view of the prisoners whereas Mr. Ram Avtar and Mr. S.S. Randhawa, Addl. Advocate General, Haryana and Deputy Advocate General, Punjab respectively, had put in appearance on behalf of their respective States.

3. The delay in disposal of criminal appeals pending in the High Courts is a matter of serious concern to all those involved in the administration of criminal justice but whereas the Administrators have an undoubted (albeit an impersonal concern) the person