Omprakash Shankarlal Rav vs State Of Gujarat

Nirzar S. Desai, J

Heard learned advocate for the applicant and learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondent – State.

By this application filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the applicant is seeking release on regular bail in connection with the FIR being C.R.No.11201016220004 of 2022 registered with CID Crime Police Station, Surat Zone, Surat City for the offences punishable under Sections 285, 407, 411, 414, 413 and 120(B) etc. of the IPC.

Learned advocate for the applicant submitted that, the applicant is not involved in commission of offence as alleged in the FIR and therefore, looking to the role of the applicant and nature of the allegations, the applicant is required to be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable terms and conditions.

On the other hand, learned APP appearing for the respondent – State vehemently submits that, the offences, which have been charged, are serious in nature affecting the society at large and looking to the facts as well as the allegations made against the applicant, no discretion would be required to be exercised.

In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of allegations, this Court is of the opinion that, discretion is required to be exercised to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. This Court has considered the following facts while exercising discretion in favour of the applicant :-

(i) the applicant is in jail since 25.04.2023;

(ii) though, the charge-sheet is not filed, the investigation is substantially over ;

(iii) no past antecedent.

(iv) According to learned advocate for the applicant that the co-accused, whose role either similar or graver then the present applicant, are granted either anticipatory bail or released on regular bail by the coordinate bench of this Court and the aforesaid facts could not be disputed by learned APP on the basis of the police papers presented by the Investigating Officer, who is present in court. The details of the co-accused who have been released are as follow:

(a) co-accused Sureshbhai Hargovinddas Raval is granted anticipatory bail vide order dated 19.10.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.17621 of 2022;

(b) co-accused Manojkumar Lallanprasad Varma is released on regular bail vide order dated 04.07.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.11874 of 2022;

(c) co-accused Suresh Ramlal Khatik is released on regular bail vide order dated 17.10.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.17132 of 2022;

(d) co-accused Rahulkumar Shreeramkishan Yadav is released on regular bail vide order dated 17.10.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.19080 of 2022;

(e) co-accused Lokesh @ Ladulal Nenalal Khatik is released on regular bail vide order dated 14.10.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.19108 of 2022;

(f) co-accused Suresh Ramlal Khatik is released on egular bail vide order dated 17.10.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.17132 of 2022;

(g) co-accused Manish Shankarlal Rav is released on regular bail vide order dated 13.10.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.19050 of 2022; and

(h) co-accused Jignesh Chandrakant Raval is released on regular bail vide order dated 08.12.2022 passed in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.22436 of 2022;

(i) co-accused Bhupati @ Soni Prabhubhai Rav is granted Regular Bail vide order dated 20.04.2023 passed in Criminal Misc. Application No. 5711 of 2023.

In view of the aforesaid facts, without discussing the evidence in detail, this Court, prima facie, is of the opinion that, this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicant on regular bail. Hence, present application is allowed and the applicant is ordered to be released on regular bail in connection with the FIR being C.R.No.11201016220004 of 2022 registered with CID Crime Police Station, Surat Zone, Surat City on executing personal bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousand only) with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned 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 India without prior permission of the Sessions Judge concerned;

[e] furnish latest 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 the trial Court;

[f] mark his presence before the concerned police station in the first week of every month till the trial is over;

The Authorities will release the applicant only if the applicant 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 learned 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, learned 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.