Pareshkumar Nagarbhai Patel 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.11201001220003 of 2022 registered with CID Crime Police Station, Gandhinagar for the offences punishable under Sections 465, 468, 471, 474, 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 27.02.2023;

(ii) the investigation is over and the charge-sheet is filed;

(iii) no past antecedent.

(iv) in respect of same incident, two different FIRs are filed. One being C.R.No.11191011230010 of 2023 registered with DCB Police Station, Ahemdabad City for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 420, 304, 308, 370 and 120(B) etc. of the IPC. During the course of investigation of one FIR, one of the witness namely Pankaj Dhobi has stated that present applicant has only stood as guarantor for sending his son abroad. Whereas in respect of another FIR, while giving the statement for the same incident, he has stated that everything was managed through present applicant which indicates that there are contradictions in the statement of present applicant in respect of statement of witness Pankaj Dhobi R/CR.MA/10209/2023 ORDER DATED: 04/07/2023 relating the role of present applicant. In view of the aforesaid contradictions, only at the stage of trial, the clear role of present applicant can be ascertained.

(v) even if the role attributed to present applicant is considered that he has received sum of Rs.30 Lakhs for sending one Varshil Dhobi to Canada / USA, then also, except for the statement that he manage the things nothing specific stated in the statement Pankaj Dhobi or in the FIR.

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.11201001220003 of 2022 registered with CID Crime Police Station, Gandhinagar 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 State of Gujarat 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.