India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday rebuked Uttar Pradesh prison and police officials for keeping an accused in jail nearly two months after the apex court granted him bail on 29 April. The bench demanded an explanation from the state authorities, warning that such lapses raise concerns about how many other prisoners remain incarcerated despite favourable court orders. In a separate matter the same day, a bench comprising Justices K.V. Viswanathan and N. Kotiswar Singh opened suo motu proceedings to examine whether investigating agencies may summon lawyers solely for advising their clients. The judges stayed a Gujarat High Court ruling that had upheld a police notice to a defence counsel and asked the Attorney-General, Solicitor-General, the Bar Council of India and leading bar associations to propose safeguards. The court cautioned that permitting such summons would have a “chilling effect” on legal independence and undermine the administration of justice. The heightened judicial scrutiny came as the National Human Rights Commission issued notices to Uttar Pradesh officials over three custodial deaths reported in Varanasi jails within two days, underscoring broader concerns about prison administration and detainee rights.