Divyesh A. Joshi, J
1. Rule. Learned APP waives service of notice of Rule for and on behalf of respondent – State.
2. The present application is filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for regular bail in connection with C.R.No.I-11208003221333 of 2022 registered with Rajkot City Gandhigram-2 (University) Police Station, for the offence punishable under Sections 8(C), 21(B), 29 of the NDPS Act.
3. Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that considering the nature of the offence, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable conditions. It is submitted that applicant has been arrested on 4.12.2022 and since then he is in judicial custody. It is further submitted that investigation is already concluded and present application is filed after submission of charge-sheet. It is submitted that the contraband article was not found from the physical possession of the applicant and he was arraigned on the basis of the statement of co-accused. It is submitted that there is no antecedents.
4. Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State has opposed grant of regular bail looking to the nature and gravity of the offence.
5. Learned advocates appearing on behalf of the respective parties do not press for further reasoned order.
6. 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. It is found out from the record that the applicant is arrested on 4.12.2022 and since then, he is in judicial custody. Investigation is already concluded and charge-sheet is filed. It is also found out from the record that the contraband article was not found from the physical possession of the applicant and he was arraigned on the basis of the statement of co-accused. As submitted by learned advocate for the applicant, there is no past antecedents reported against the applicant. Thus, considering the aforesaid factual aspect, I am inclined to consider this application.
7. 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 as well as in case of Satender Kumar Antil v. Central Bureau of Investigation & Anr. reported in (2022)10 SCC 51.
8. 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.
9. Hence, the present application is allowed and the applicant is ordered to be released on regular bail in connection with C.R.No.I-11208003221333 of 2022 registered with Rajkot City Gandhigram-2 (University) Police Station, 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;
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. The present application stands allowed accordingly. Rule is made absolute. Direct service is permitted.
