IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
H.P. Sandesh, J.
Annappa Shetty - Appellant
Versus
State & Ors. - Respondents
Criminal Petition Nos. 10255/2021 and 50/2022
Decided On : 15-02-2022
Bail - Criminal Offences - Sections 504, 506, 324, 307, 114 read with Section 34 of IPC - The court discussed the nature and seriousness of the offences invoked against the respondents, the discretion exercised under Section 439 of Cr.P.C, and the relevance of previous criminal cases against the respondents.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, running a Bar and Restaurant, filed petitions to set aside the bail orders granted to the respondents who were accused of assaulting and threatening the petitioner's friends and manager. The Trial Court had granted bail to the respondents despite objections from the prosecution.
Finding of the Court:
The Court found that the Trial Court had considered the nature of injuries, the scope of Section 439 of Cr.P.C, and the fact that there were both a case and a counter case in the matter. The Court also noted that the rejection of bail in another criminal case cannot be a ground for rejection of the bail petition.
Issues: The issues revolved around the nature and seriousness of the offences, the discretion exercised by the Trial Court in granting bail, and the relevance of previous criminal cases against the respondents.
Ratio Decidendi: The Court emphasized that the rejection of bail in another criminal case cannot be a ground for rejection of the bail petition. It also highlighted the need for the Court to consider the nature of injuries, the scope of Section 439 of Cr.P.C, and the factual aspects of the case when granting bail.
Final Decision: The petitions filed by the petitioner were dismissed, upholding the bail orders granted to the respondents.
JUDGMENT
H.P. Sandesh, J. - These two petitions are filed under Section 439(2) of Cr.P.C, by the original complainant/petitioner herein praying to set aside the order dated 27.11.2021 passed in Crl. Misc. No. 695/2021 and Crl. Misc. No. 698/2021, respectively on the file of Additional District & Sessions Judge at Udupi, sitting at Kundapura for the offences punishable under Sections 504, 506, 324, 307, 114 read with Section 34 of IPC and cancel the orders of bail.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner in both the petitions and the learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent No. 1/State and the learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 2.
3. The factual matrix of the case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is running a family Bar and Restaurant in the name and style of 'Silver Arch'. One Ashweej Shetty is the Manager of the Restaurant. On 20.10.2021, the accused persons came to the Bar and Restaurant at around 9:00 p.m., and insisted the Manager for money. Further they assaulted with bottle, abused him in a filthy language and also threatened to take his life. In this regard, a complaint was filed. The complainant along with his friends gone to the police station for enquiry. When they were returning after enquiry near Nikhil Hotel, the Car of the complainant's friend stopped and they got down from the car. On looking to this, he also stopped the Car. At that time, his friends looking into the accused persons along with 3 others proceeded and making conversation. At that time, the accused and others suddenly started abusing them in a filthy language and threatened to kill them. The accused were armed with iron rod, long knife with an intention to kill the complainant and his friends started assaulting. When the accused Kiran Poojary used a long knife for assaulting, the friends of the complainant, tried to avoid the assault, but the knife hit the back of Ravi Shetty. The accused Ashok Devadiga assaulted with an iron rod over one Prashanth Shetty. The accused Kiran Poojary pulled Ravi Shetty to the ground and made an attempt to assault him with a long knife. At that time, the complainant intervened and avoided the assault. The two others, who were with the accused, also assaulted Akshay Acharya and Prashanth Shetty with an iron rod. On looking to the galata, the public came near the spot and on looking at them, the accused ran away from the spot. Hence, based on the complaint, a case has been registered.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the Trial Court has granted bail in favour of respondent No. 2 in both the petitions without looking into the nature and seriousness of the offences invoked against them. The learned counsel would vehemently contend that they are the habitual offenders and they were having several cases against the respondents herein. In spite of it, the Trial Court exercised the discretion. It is also contended that the respondents are anti social elements. The learned counsel also would vehemently contend that the Trial Court failed to appreciate the objection of the prosecution that the bail application filed by the respondents came to be rejected and even not surrendered before the police or the Court and disrespected the order of rejection of the bail. The Trial Court committed an error in giving the reasons that if the bail is rejected, it is the duty of the Investigating Officer to nab the accused and produced before the Court and merely because the rejection of the bail petition cannot be a ground to reject the bail petition and the very approach of the Trial Court is erroneous.
5. Per contra, the learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent No. 1/State in both the petitions would vehemently contend that Crime No. 166/2021 was registered in respect of the previous date and the injuries were simple in nature and the Court taking into note of the scope of Section 439 of Cr.P.C., exercised its discretion and th
The rejection of bail in another criminal case cannot be a ground for rejection of the bail petition. The Court must consider the nature of injuries, the scope of Section 439 of Cr.P.C, and the factu....
Cancellation of Bail – Court while granting bail has not considered the nature and gravity of the accusations, severity of the punishment in the event of bail, likelihood of repetition of the offence....
The seriousness of the allegations and the discretion of the Trial Court in granting bail must be considered in the context of the nature of the offences and the appreciation of the material on recor....
The main legal point established in the judgment is that the grounds for cancellation of bail must be justified under section 439(2) Cr.P.C., and the progress of the investigation and the likelihood ....
Bail granted for a bailable offence can be cancelled if the accused misuses their liberty by engaging in similar criminal activities or interfering with the investigation. The decision also highlight....
The court cannot entertain a fresh prayer for relief in the matter of bail cancellation unless the previous order of final disposal has been set aside or modified.
The main legal point established is that the grounds for granting and cancelling bail should consider the seriousness of the offence, nature of evidence, and likelihood of interference with justice.
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