Dilipbhai Shanabhai Vasava vs State Of Gujarat

A.Y. Kogje, J

The present application is filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for regular bail in connection with FIR being I-CR No.11197008200184 of 2020 registered with Chanod Police Station, Vadodara Rural for offence under Sections 363, 366, 376(2)(N), 376(3) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 5(L), 5(J)(ii) and 6 of the POCSO Act.

Learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that considering the nature of the offence, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable conditions.

Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State has opposed grant of regular bail looking to the nature and gravity of the offence.

Learned advocate Mr. Brji V. Sheth appearing for the original complainant states that the complainant is unable to remain present on account of family function however, confirms that he has no objection to grant of regular bail. Attention is drawn to the affidavit of original complainant-father dated 20.02.2021, wherein it is stated that keeping the future of the young couple in mind, amicable settlement has been arrived at.

Learned Advocates appearing on behalf of the respective parties do not press for further reasoned order.

I have heard the learned advocates appearing on behalf of the respective parties and perused the papers. Following aspects are considered:-

I. The FIR is registered on 07.07.2020 for the offence which is alleged to have taken place between 07.07.2018 to 07.07.2020.

II. The applicant is in jail since 11.07.2020.

III. The investigation is concluded and charge-sheet is filed.

IV. Submission of learned advocate for the applicant that the applicant is aged 28 years, but unmarried is having an affair with the prosecutrix, who is aged 14 years 9 months.

V. Learned advocate for the applicant, under the instructions, states that both the families are agreeable if the matrimonial relation is entered into between the applicant and the prosecutrix on attaining the age of the majority by the prosecutrix and he will file an undertaking to that effect.

VI. Learned APP under instructions of IO is unable to bring on record any special circumstances against the applicant.

In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of the allegations made against the applicant in the FIR, without discussing the evidence in detail, prima facie, this Court is of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicant on regular bail.

Hence, the present application is allowed. The applicant is ordered to be released on regular bail in connection with FIR being I-CR No.11197008200184 of 2020 registered with Chanod Police Station, Vadodara Rural, on executing a personal bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court and subject to the conditions that he shall;

(a) not take undue advantage of liberty or misuse liberty;

(b) not act in a manner injurious to the interest of the prosecution & shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation and shall not to play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to be collected by the police;

(c) surrender passport, if any, to the Trial Court within a week;

(d) not leave the State of Gujarat without prior permission of the Trial Court concerned;

(e) mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.;

(f) furnish the present address of his residence to the Investigating Officer and also to the Court at the time of execution of the bond and shall not change the residence without prior permission of Trial Court;

(g) to file an undertaking before the trial Court within a week of his release that he will enter into matrimonial relation with the prosecutrix on attaining her majority with the consent of parents of the prosecutrix.

The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in connection with any other offence for the time being. If breach of any of the above conditions is committed, the Sessions Judge concerned will be free to issue warrant or take appropriate action in the matter.

Bail bond to be executed before the lower Court having jurisdiction to try the case. It will be open for the concerned Court to delete, modify and/or relax any of the above conditions, in accordance with law.

At the trial, the trial Court shall not be influenced by the observations of preliminary nature qua the evidence at this stage made by this Court while enlarging the applicant on bail.

Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service is permitted.