Sushmita Nenawat vs State Of M.P

G.S. Ahluwalia, J

This first application under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. has been filed for grant of bail.

The applicant has been arrested on 24.10.2020 in connection with Crime No.196/2020 registered at Police Station Lateri, District Vidisha for offence

under Section 49-A of M.P. Excise Act.

It is submitted by the counsel for the applicant that according to the prosecution case, 8 litres of country made liquor has been seized from the

possession of the applicant which is alleged to be unfit for human consumption. It is submitted by the counsel for the applicant that although the police

after concluding the investigation has filed the charge sheet but still the FSL report has not been received and the applicant is in jail for the last one and

half months. The trial is likely to take sufficiently long time and there is no possibility of her absconding or tempering with prosecution witnesses.

Per contra, the application is vehemently opposed by the Counsel for the State. After going through the police case dairy, it is submitted by the counsel

for the State that the FSL report has not been received and there is nothing in the case diary to indicate any criminal antecedents of the applicant.

Considered the submissions made by the Counsel for the parties through video conferencing.

The Supreme Court by order dated 23-3-2020 passed in the case of IN RE : CONTAGION OF COVID 19 VIRUS IN PRISONS in SUO

MOTU W.P. (C) No. 1/2020 has directed all the States to constitute a High Powered Committee to consider the release of prisoners in order to

decongest the prisons. The Supreme Court has observed as under :

“The issue of overcrowding of prisons is a matter of serious concern particularly in the present context of the pandemic of Corona Virus (COVID

â€" 19).

Having regard to the provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, it has become imperative to ensure that the spread of the Corona Virus

within the prisons is controlled.

We direct that each State/Union Territory shall constitute a High Powered Committee comprising of (i) Chairman of the State Legal Services

Committee, (ii) the Principal Secretary (Home/Prison) by whatever designation is known as, (ii) Director General of Prison(s), to determine which

class of prisoners can be released on parole or an interim bail for such period as may be thought appropriate. For instance, the State/Union Territory

could consider the release of prisoners who have been convicted or are undertrial for offences for which prescribed punishment is up to 7 years or

less, with or without fine and the prisoner has been convicted for a lesser number of years than the maximum.

It is made clear that we leave it open for the High Powered Committee to determine the category of prisoners who should be released as aforesaid,

depending upon the nature of offence, the number of years to which he or she has been sentenced or the severity of the offence with which he/she is

charged with and is facing trial or any other relevant factor, which the Committee may consider appropriate.â€​

Considering the allegations, as well as considering the fact that in view of Covid19 pandemic, it is also necessary to decongest the jail, and without

commenting on the merits of the case, it is directed that the applicant be released on bail, on furnishing the personal bond in the sum of Rs. 1,00,000

(Rs. One Lac) to the satisfaction of the Trial Court or C.J.M. or Remand Magistrate (Whosoever is available). The applicant shall also furnish an

undertaking that he will abide by all the instructions which may be issued by the Centra Govt./State Govt. or Local Administration (General or

Specific) from time to time for combating Covid19. It is further directed that, the applicant shall also furnish one surety in the like amount to the

satisfaction of Trial Court within a period of one month after the lockdown is completely lifted.

The Supreme Court in the case of IN RE : CONTAGION OF COVID 19 VIRUS IN PRISONS by order dated 7-4-2020 has directed as under :

In these circumstances, we consider it appropriate to direct that Union of India shall ensure that all the prisoners having been released by the

States/Union Territories are not left stranded and they are provided transportation to reach their homes or given the option to stay in temporary shelter

homes for the period of lockdown.

For this purpose, the Union of India may issue appropriate directions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 or any other law for the time being in

force. We further direct that the States/Union Territories shall ensure through Directors General of Police to provide safe transit to the prisoners who

have been released so that they may reach their homes. They shall also be given an option for staying in temporary shelter homes during the period of

lockdown.

Accordingly, it is directed that before releasing the applicant, the jail authorities shall get the applicant examined by a competent

Doctor and if the Doctor is of the opinion that her Corona Virus test is necessary, then the same shall be conducted. If the applicant is

not found suspected of Covid19 infection or if her test report is negative, then the concerned local administration shall make necessary

arrangements for sending the applicant to her house as per the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case of IN RE :

CONTAGION OF COVID 19 VIRUS IN PRISONS (Supra) , and if he is found positive then the applicant shall be immediately sent to

concerning hospital for her treatment as per medical norms. The applicant is further directed to strictly follow all the instructions which

may be issued by the Central Govt./State Govt. or Local Administration for combating Covid19. If it is found that the applicant has

violated any of the instructions (whether general or specific) issued by the Central Govt./State Govt. or Local Administration, then this

order shall automatically lose its effect, and the Local Administration/Police Authorities shall immediately take him in custody and

would send him to the same jail from where he was released. The applicant is further directed to supply a copy of this bail order to the

police station having jurisdiction over her place of residence.

The other conditions of Section 437,439 Cr.P.C. shall remain the same.

This order shall remain in force, till the conclusion of Trial. In case of bail jump, or violation of any of the condition(s) mentioned above, this order shall

automatically lose its effect.

It is further clarified that after receipt of FSL report, if it is found that the liquor seized from the possession of the applicant was unfit for human

consumption, then this order shall automatically lose its effect and the applicant shall be under obligation to immediately surrender before the Trial

Court.

With aforesaid observations, this application is Allowed.