2017 Supreme(SC) 1725
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
S. ABDUL NAZEER, J. CHELAMESWAR, JJ.
B.N. Srivastava – Appellant
Versus
CBI, EOU-IV, New Delhi – Respondent
Criminal Appeal No. 784 of 2017, SLP (Criminal) No. 10161 of 2016
Decided On : 25-04-2017
The court's decision was based on the principle of fairness and proportionality in imposing bail conditions, considering the circumstances of the case and the compliance with interim orders.
Headnote:
Bail - Deposit Condition - The court modified the condition imposed by the trial court for depositing Rupees fifty lakh for grant of bail, stating that the appellant had already deposited Rupees ten lakh, which was sufficient for granting bail.
Fact of the Case:
The appellant challenged the condition imposed for depositing Rupees fifty lakh as a precondition for granting bail. The High Court had passed an interim order staying the imposition of the condition, subject to the appellant depositing Rupees ten lakh within one month from the date of the order.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the appellant had already deposited a sum of Rupees ten lakh in compliance with the interim order. It also noted that the co-accused had been granted bail without a similar condition for depositing the amount. The court concluded that the Special Court was justified in granting bail to the appellant, but the condition for depositing Rupees fifty lakh was onerous and accordingly modified it.
Issues: Challenge to bail condition of depositing Rupees fifty lakh, compliance with interim order, disparity in conditions imposed on co-accused, and justification for modifying the deposit condition.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the disparity in conditions imposed on the co-accused, the appellant's compliance with the interim order, and the onerous nature of the deposit condition. It concluded that the appellant should be released on bail based on the deposit already made and the circumstances of the case.
Final Decision: The court modified the condition for depositing Rupees fifty lakh for grant of bail and directed the appellant to be released on bail if he satisfied the other conditions imposed by the Special Court in its order dated 28th April, 2016.
ORDER :
1. Leave granted.
2. The application filed by the appellant was allowed by the Special Judge, Prevention of Corruption, C.B.I. Ghaziabad, in Special Case No. 05 of 2012, dated 28th April, 2016, subject to the following conditions:
“1. The applicant/accused will not tamper with the evidence during the trial.
2. The applicant/accused will not pressurize/intimidate the prosecution witness.
3. The applicant/accused will personally appear before this trial court on the date fixed.
4. The applicant/accused will surrender/deposit his passport in the court.
Accused/applicant Brijesh Narayan Srivastava (B.N. Srivastava) will furnish two personal bonds of Rs. 50,000/- with two bail sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court.
Since the allegations against the accused are too serious, causing heavy financial losses to the government, therefore, the accused will deposit Rs. 50 lakh in the court within four weeks from the date of his release on bail.”
3. The appellant challenged the condition imposed in the order for depositing Rupees fifty lakh as precondition while granting bail before the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in Crl. M.A. No. 16764 of 2016. In the said case an interim order was passed on 31st May, 2016 staying the imposition of condition of the deposit of Rupees fifty lakh subject to the appellant depositing Rupees ten lakh within one month from the date of the order. Accordingly, the appellant has deposited a sum of Rupees ten lakh. The High Court by its order dated 11th November, 2016 has dismissed the application filed by the appellant challenging the aforesaid order.
4. We have heard learned counsel for the parties.
5. It is clear that the appellant has already deposited a sum of Rupees ten lakh in terms of an interim order passed by the High Court. It is also clear from the materials on record that the co-accused, namely, B.N. Yadav and R.K. Singh have been granted bail without a condition being imposed upon them for depositing the amount. The appellant has been in custody for more than four years. In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that the Special Court was justified in granting the bail to the appellant. However, the condition imposed by the court below for depositing Rupees fifty lakh is onerous. The appellant has already deposited Rupees ten lakh, which is sufficient for granting bail to him. Therefore, direction issued by the trial court for deposit of Rupees fifty lakh for grant of bail is accordingly modified.
6. The appellant shall be released on bail if he satisfies the other conditions imposed by the Special Court in its order dated 28th April, 2016.
7. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.