JUDGMENT :

These three appeals are preferred against the impugned order dated 25.11.2021 passed by the Court of LXX Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge and Special Judge, at Bengaluru in Special Case No.1752/2021.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the appellants and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent/State and perused the material on record.

3. Respondent No.2 is served but there is no representation.

4. Charge Sheet has been filed against accused Nos.1 to 6 in connection with Crime No.337/2021 registered at Banaswadi Police Station, for offences punishable under Sections 302, 120B and 149 of IPC and Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

5. Criminal Appeal No.336/2022 is preferred by accused No.2, Criminal Appeal No.337/2022 is preferred by accused No.3 and Criminal Appeal No.267/2022 is preferred by accused Nos.4 and 5 respectively.

6. The appellants herein preferred a petition under Section 439 of Cr.P.C., before the Special Court praying to enlarge them on bail, which was rejected vide impugned order. Hence, they are before this Court.

7. Complaint is lodged by one Smt.Lakshmamma mother of deceased Harish. It is alleged that on 28.07.2021 at about 1.30 p.m., her son was murdered by one Rakshith and his associates by assaulting him with deadly weapons like long etc., on his head and other parts of the body.

8. The prosecution claims that CWs.1 to 4 are the eye witnesses to the incident. CW.1 is the first informant and she is the mother of the deceased, CW.2 is the sister and CWs.3 and 4 are the friends of the deceased. The statements of CWs.1 to 4 as well as their further statements have been recorded in the course of investigation. Further, the statements of CWs.3 and 4 are recorded under Section 164 of Cr.P.C.

9. It is contended by the learned counsel for appellants that after the arrest of the accused persons, the alleged eye witnesses namely CWs.3 and 4 have not identified them. He has contented that there are contradictions in their statements recorded under Section 164 of Cr.P.C. It is further contended that the names of other accused persons except accused No.1 are not in the First Information Report and similarly placed accused No.6 has been enlarged on bail by the Sessions Court. It is also contended that CWs.1 and 2 cannot be the eye witnesses since they have come to the scene of offence after they were informed by CW.3.

10. The learned counsel for appellants has contended that the above as well as other various grounds were urged before the learned Special Judge. However, without adverting to any of the contentions raised, the learned Sessions Judge has mechanically passed the order rejecting the prayer seeking bail. He submits that the liberty of the appellants has been curtailed in view of their detention in judicial custody.

11. Learned High Court Government Pleader on the other hand has contended that the offence committed is heinous in nature and there being eye witnesses to the incident in question, the learned Special Judge has rightly rejected the prayer seeking bail. He submits that there is threat to the witnesses from the accused and therefore it is not a fit case to enlarge the appellants on bail.

12. It is well settled that the primary considerations which must be placed at balance while deciding the grant of bail are:

(i) the seriousness of the offence;

(ii) the likelihood of the accused fleeing from justice;

(iii) the impact of release of the accused on the prosecution witnesses;

(iv) likelihood of the accused tampering with evidence.

But, at the same time, the Court has to come to a reasonable conclusion as to whether there is any prima facie or reasonable ground to believe that the accused has committed the offence, followed by the nature and gravity of the charge and severity of the punishment. Certain important factors relating to prima facie involvement of the accused have to be considered, though no detailed discussio