Pravinbhai Ramabhai Patel vs State Of Gujarat

Nirzar S. Desai, J

Heard learned advocate for the applicant and learned APP 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 connectionwiththeFIRbeing C.R.No.11191035230355 of 2023 registered with Naroda Police Station, Ahmedabad for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 420, 409, 34 and 120B 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 10.03.2023;

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

(iii)the applicant is not the trustee of the hospital nor is involved in the management of the hospital. What is alleged against the present applicant is that he is running medical store in the hospital and as per the counter of charge-sheet, he was given the responsibility of making payment to Doctors and was looking after the cash flow in the hospital and used to deposit the same in the hospital. As per the counter of the charge-sheet, an amount of Rs.55,96,330/- was found from the locker of the hospital during the course of investigation, which prima facie indicates that the money has not travelled outside the hospital;

(iv) there are no past antecedents, as stated by learned advocate for the applicant;

(v) trial will take its own time.

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 connectionwiththeFIRbeing C.R.No.11191035230355 of 2023 registered with Naroda Police Station, Ahmedabad 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.