IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
S.G. Mehare, J.
Vyankat Madhavrao Kendre – Appellant
Versus
State of Maharashtra – Respondent
Application For Cancellation of Bail No. 219 of 2022
Decided On : 16-02-2023
Bail - Consideration of Gravity of Offense - Court found no justifiable reason to keep accused in jail for indefinite period
Fact of the Case:
The accused was granted bail by the Additional Sessions Judge due to scuffle with the injured, considering the age of the accused and the time for trial to commence.
Finding of the Court:
The Court dismissed the applications for cancellation of bail, stating that the order granting bail was well reasoned and within the factors to be considered while granting bail.
Issues: The gravity of the offense, previous enmity, and the accused's intention were the key issues raised by the parties.
Ratio Decidendi: The Court emphasized that unless there are overwhelming circumstances, bail should not be cancelled, and the police machinery is created to take necessary action against persons committing crimes.
Final Decision: Both applications for cancellation of bail were dismissed by the Court.
JUDGMENT
1. Heard the respective learned counsels for the parties and learned APP for the respondent-State.
2. Respondent No.1 has been granted bail by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Aurangabad. It has been observed that the scuffle took place between the applicant and respondent/accused because of previous enmity. Though the injured has sustained the grievous injuries, but it was impossible to draw an inference that the accused has intention to commit the murder. While granting bail, the learned Additional Sessions Judge considered the age of the accused. The trial may take its time to commence. Considering the facts of the case, learned Additional Sessions Judge also observed that he did not find justifiable reason to keep the accused in jail for indefinite period.
3. The vehement argument has been advanced by the learned counsel for the applicant and learned APP that the gravity of the offence has not been considered properly. The injured was the Police Inspector assaulted on uniform. The applicant was carrying knife with him. That shows his intention. Subsequent to this incident, he again committed the crime. The offence was serious. The grounds of objection to grant bail were not considered.
4. The learned counsel for the applicant Mr. Thombre relied on the case of Jagjeet Singh and others Vs. Ashish Mishra @ Monu and another, (2022) 9 SCC 321. In the said case, liberty has been granted to the victim to appear and oppose the bail application and the factors to be borne-in-mind while considering the bail application in the case of Prasanta Kumar Sarkar Vs. Ashis Chatterjee, (2010) 14 SCC 496 have been discussed. Learned counsel also relied on the case of Nitu Kumar Vs. Gulveer and others, Criminal Appeal No.1547 of 2022, Supreme Court of India, decided on 16/9/2022. Again, it has been reiterated that the High Court has to appreciate the role attributed to the accused. The gravity and seriousness of the offence is relevant consideration for the purpose of grant of bail. While granting bail, the High Court did not consider the facts and circumstances of the case. It was also observed in the said case that nothing was discussed by the High Court on the role attributed to the accused and his overt act in the commission of the offence.
5. It has also been observed in the said cases that if the High Court does not advert to the relevant considerations and mechanically grants bail, the said order would suffer from the voice of the non-application of mind rendering it to be illegal.
6. Learned counsel for the respondent No.2/accused vehemently opposed the application. She would argue that the order granting bail is well reasoned. There are no overwhelming circumstances to interfere with the order granting bail. The impugned order is neither arbitrary nor perverse. There was a previous enmity. Therefore, the correct reasons have been given while granting the bail.
7. Learned counsel for the respondent No.2/accused has also argued that the relevant factors considering the bail have been considered by the learned Additional Sessions Judge while exercising the discretion. Unless there are overwhelming circumstances, the bail cannot be granted.
8. The law as regards to the cancellation of bail is well settled in case of Dolat Ram and others Vs. State of Haryana (1995) 1 SCC 349. It has been a consistent view that unless there are overwhelming circumstances, the bail should not be cancelled. If the Court granting bail, did not consider the material before it and appreciate the inadmissible evidence or ignore the admissible evidence. In that circumstances, the High Court may interfere with the order granting bail. In other words, it may be stated that the order without assigning reasons can be cancelled.
9. The Court is of the view that the Court granting bail has considered the facts of the case and effect of the injuries sustained to the applicant. The Court has examined the record and also considered the arguments advanced by the prose
The gravity and seriousness of the offense are relevant considerations for the purpose of grant of bail.
The court underscored that bail decisions must weigh the seriousness of charges and potential witness tampering, emphasizing that casual orders lacking reasoning undermine judicial standards.
The discretion to grant bail must be exercised judiciously, considering the gravity of the offence, evidence, and potential obstruction of justice.
(1) Bail – For grant or denial of bail, nature of crime has huge relevancy – Importance of assigning reasoning for grant or denial of bail can never be undermined.(2) Cancellation of bail – Bail once....
A court may cancel bail granted only when serious misconduct or irrelevant factors are proven, and sufficient judicial reasoning is required for such actions.
Cancellation of bail should be treated differently from a bail application and should only be cancelled if strong and compelling reasons exist, as established by legal precedents and guidelines.
Bail once granted should not be cancelled without cogent reasons and must consider supervening circumstances.
The considerations for grant of bail and cancellation of bail are distinct. Factors to be considered for anticipatory bail include the nature and gravity of the accusation, antecedents of the applica....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the misuse of bail and the legal principles governing the cancellation of bail.
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