Govindbhai @ Jadeja Amthuji Thakor 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 MKN-34 of 2001 registered with Tharad Police Station, Banaskantha for the offence under Sections 366, 506(2) and 394 of the Indian Penal Code, which has now culminated into Criminal Case No.47 of 2018.

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 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 04.09.2011 for the offence which is alleged to have taken place on 18.08.2001.

II. The applicant is in jail since 29.09.2020.

III. The applicant was earlier released on regular bail. However, due to his absence from trial proceedings, warrant came to be issued and the applicant came to be arrested.

IV. Submission of learned Advocate for the applicant that now the applicant will remain present on each and every hearing during trial proceedings.

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

This Court has also taken into consideration the law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra v. Central Bureau of Investigation, reported in [2012]1 SCC 40.

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 MKN-34 of 2001 registered with Tharad Police Station, Banaskantha, which has now culminated into Criminal Case No.47 of 2018, 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;

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.