IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Talwant Singh, J.
Mohd. Imam @ Imamuddin - Appellant
Versus
State NCT of Delhi - Respondent
Bail Appln. 403 of 2022
Decided On : 20-07-2022
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. second bail application context. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. arguments presented by parties. (Para 4 , 8 , 10 , 11) |
| 3. details of fir and accusations. (Para 5) |
| 4. petitioner's history of cases. (Para 6) |
| 5. court's observations on case. (Para 7 , 9 , 12 , 13) |
| 6. bail application conclusion. (Para 14) |
JUDGMENT
Talwant Singh, J. This is a second bail application of the accused/applicant.
1.1. Earlier bail application was dismissed as withdrawn on 11.10.2021. Thereafter, the regular bail application of the petitioner was dismissed by the learned ASJ on 31.01.2022.
2. The petitioner is stated to be a 35 year old person, married and having three minor school going daughters. He was arrested in the present case on 19.03.2021 and is in continuous judicial custody since then.
3. Charge sheet stands filed on 17.05.2021 under Section 307/186/353/34 IPC and under Section 25/27 of the Arms Act. The case was at the stage of Misc./Appearance when the bail application was filed. It has been submitted that there are no public witnesses in the present case. It was the petitioner, who was injured in the present case and none of the police officials were inujured.
3.1. The petitioner was shot at by the police officials who are witnesses in the present case and he received four bullet injuries. Giving background of the matter, it has been submitted that the petitioner had filed a writ petition in 2016 for conducting vigilance enquiry against police officials of Nand Nagri and the Hon'ble High Court was pleased to direct on 24.01.2017 for transfer of the said police officials from PS Nand Nagri and enquiry was conducted against erring police offilicals.
3.2. On 24.02.2021, a complaint was filed by wife of the petitioner to the Police Commissioner stating that the petitioner was beaten up by the police officials from PS Nand Nagri and he had sustained head injuries and he was falsely implicated in case FIR No. 151/2021, registered at PS Nand Nagri.
3.3. Another complaint was made on 26.03.2021. The petitioner also made a complaint on 03.04.2021 and a writ petition no. 771/2021 was filed praying for vigilance enquiry against police officials of Special Cell, who had staged false encounter against the petitioner. The said petition was dismissed on 30.07.2021.
3.4. The petitioner is stated to be in custody only in the present case and he is on regular bail in two cases in which he was falsely implicated. The bail has been prayed on the ground that he is in continuous judicial custody since 19.03.2021. He had lodged a complaint and sought enquiries against the police officials, that is the reason why he has been falsely implicated in the present case.
3.5. The petitioner was kidnapped by police officials of Special Cell on 19.03.2021, and thereafter, the present case was registered. Prior to this, the petitioner was mercilessly beaten up by the police officials on 23.03.2021 and he sent a complaint to the higher officials. On this ground, the petitioner has prayed bail.
4. Notice was issued.
5. Status report has been filed, giving details of the FIR registered against the present petitioner.
5.1. It is alleged that on receipt of secret information, a trap was laid and on seeing the police officials, the petitioner tried to run away from the spot on a scooter but he was intercepted and the petitioner started abusing the police officials, started running from the spot and also started firing at the police officials, who returned the fire in self defence, in which the accused sustained gunshot injuries on his legs.
5.2. The petitioner was admitted to Trauma Centre, AIIMS for treatment, and thereafter, he was arrested. Investigation was transferred from Special Cell to Crime Branch, Delhi. No CCTV camera was found near the spot.
5.3. The applicant/accused is a notorious criminal of his area and his name is placed in the History Sheet of PS Nand Nagri. He was found involved in 26 cases previously. The accused had attacked and obstructed
The court emphasized that the duration of judicial custody, personal circumstances including care of minor children, and the nature of prior complaints against law enforcement officials are pivotal i....
The court reaffirmed that bail may be denied based on the severity of charges, potential for witness tampering, and substantial evidence of violent intent against law enforcement officers.
An accused should not be detained solely based on past convictions; parity with co-accused granted bail is a valid ground for bail application.
Bail may be granted even in serious allegations when the accused has no criminal history, investigation is complete, and co-accused have been released on bail, emphasizing fair trial rights.
The principle of parity with other co-accused, completion of previous sentences, and progress in the examination of a main witness influenced the court's decision to grant bail.
Court inclined to grant bail to present accused/applicant on execution of personal bond with one surety of the like amount subject to conditions.
The main legal point established is that the decision to grant bail was influenced by the lack of criminal history, nature of injuries, recovery of weapons, and recorded statements of witnesses.
The severity of the attack on a Police Post and the evidence of the petitioner holding a firearm influenced the court's decision to dismiss the bail application.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.