Jitendrakumar Babulal Kevada vs State Of Gujarat

A.Y. Kogje, J

Rule. Mr.L.B.Dabhi, learned APP waives service of rule for the respondentÂ​State.

This application is filed by the applicant under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for regular bail in connection with FIR

registered as PROHIBITION/11207078210018 /2021 with Kankanpur Police Station, Panchmahals for the offence punishable under Sections 65(a)

(e), 116(B), 81, 83 and 98(2) of the Prohibition Act.

Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that considering the nature of offence, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail

by imposing suitable conditions.

On the other hand, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondentÂState 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 a further reasoned order.

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

I) The FIR is registered on 08.01.2021 for the offence which took place on 08.01.2021.

II) The applicant is in custody since 08.01.2021.

III) Investigation is concluded, as remand period is over.

IV) Submission of learned advocate for the applicant that the applicant was only driver of the vehicle containing prohibited liquor and has no other

antecedents.

V) Considering the quantity of the prohibited liquor and the maximum sentence that can be imposed.

VI) Learned Additional Public Prosecutor under the instructions of the Investigating Officer is unable to bring on record any special circumstances

against the applicant.

This Court has 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 First Information Report,

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

PROHIBITION/11207078210018 /2021 registered with Kankanpur Police Station, Panchmahals 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;

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

(d) not leave the State of Gujarat without prior permission of the Sessions Judge concerned;

(e) mark presence before the concerned Police Station on alternate Monday of every English calendar 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 this 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.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct Service is permitted.