Manojkumar Shyamsundar Jayswal vs State Of Gujarat

Divyesh A. Joshi, J

Rule returnable forthwith. Learned APP waives service of notice of rule for and on behalf of the respondent-State.

The present application is filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for regular bail in connection with the FIR being C.R. No.11205013230361 of 2023 registered with the Mankuva Police Station, Kutch (West) Bhuj of the offence punishable under Sections 8(C ), 20(B)(2) (c) and 29 of the NDPS Act.

Learned advocate appearing for the applicant has submitted that the applicant-accused was arrested on 22.07.2023 and since then he is in jail. Learned advocate for the applicant has also submitted that the investigation has already been completed and charge-sheet has also been filed. Learned advocate for the applicant has submitted that on the basis of the tip-off, the police machinery had carried out raid at the premises of the co-accused from where the contraband substance was recovered from the conscious possession of the accused No.1 and, therefore, he came to be arrested. However, upon interrogation of the said accused, he has stated that he has purchased the said contraband article from the present applicant-accused and on the basis of the said statement made by the co-accused, the present applicant-accused has been implicated in the present offence. It is further submitted that the present applicant-accused does not have any past antecedents. Under the circumstances, learned advocate for the applicant prays that the applicant may be enlarged on bail on any suitable terms and conditions.

The 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 APP has further submitted that the Investigating Agency has collected the Call Data Record and it is revealed from the same that the applicant-accused was in constant touch with the main accused from whose possession the contraband article was found. It is also submitted that the quantity of the contraband substance found in the present case is 44.662 kg and, therefore, the rigors of Section 37 of the Act would also come into play. Learned APP has submitted that considering the role attributed to the applicant-accused, this is a fit case wherein discretionary power of this Court is not required to be exercised in favour of the applicant-accused.

The 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 of the investigation and considered the allegations levelled against the applicant and the role played by the applicant. This Court has also considered the following aspects;

a) That the investigation has already been completed and charge-sheet has also been filed;

b) That the applicant-accused is in jail since 22.07.2023;

c) That the applicant-accused was not caught red-handed and he has been arraigned as an accused on the basis of the statement of the co-accused;

d) That the applicant-accused does not have any past antecedents;

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 and the applicant is ordered to be released on regular bail in connection with the FIR being C.R. No.11205013230361 of 2023 registered with the Mankuva Police Station, Kutch (West) Bhuj, on executing a personal bond of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen 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 injuries 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 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. Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent.

Direct service is permitted.