HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT
MR. JUSTICE M. R. MENGDEY, J
PANCHABHAI @ PANKAJ NARANBHAI SHINGHAD – Appellant
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT – Respondent
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE CHARGESHEET) NO. 4166 of 2025
(A) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 483 - Application for regular bail - The Applicant sought bail in connection with an FIR for non-payment for goods purchased, with the prosecution alleging ongoing investigation - The court considered factors including the Applicant's reputation, custody duration, and likelihood of fleeing. (Paras 1-6)
(B) Bail considerations - The court emphasized the need to evaluate prima facie case, presence of the accused during trial, and risk of witness tampering. (Paras 5)
Facts of the case:
The Applicant is accused of purchasing goods worth crores and failing to pay, with the investigation still ongoing.
Findings of Court:
The Application for bail is allowed, with conditions imposed to ensure compliance and prevent tampering.
Issues: The main issues were the nature of the allegations, the Applicant's reputation, and the conditions for bail.
Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that the Applicant's good reputation and the nature of the allegations warranted bail, provided certain conditions are met.
Result: Application for bail allowed.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. application for bail filed (Para 1) |
| 2. arguments for and against bail (Para 2 , 3 , 4) |
| 3. consideration of factors for bail (Para 5) |
| 4. court's reasoning for bail (Para 6) |
| 5. bail granted with conditions (Para 7 , 8 , 9 , 10) |
ORDER :
1. The Applicant has filed this Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita , 2023 for enlarging the Applicant on Regular Bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No. 1121002250121 of 2025 registered with Kapodra Police Station, Surat.
2. Heard learned Advocate for the Applicant and learned APP for the Respondent – State.
Rule. Learned APP waives service of notice of Rule on behalf of the Respondent - State.
3. Learned Advocate for the Applicant has submitted that the Applicant has good reputation in the society and no useful purpose would be served by keeping the applicant in jail for indefinite period. It is further contended that the applicant is ready and willing to abide by all the conditions that may be imposed by this Court if released on bail.
4. Per contra, learned APP has opposed the present application for grant of regular bail contending that the Applicant herein had purchased goods worth crores of rupees and after having received the said goods has not paid the amount of consideration. The investigation of the offence is still in progress. Learned APP has therefore submitted that looking to the nature of offence, this Court may not exercise the discretion in favour of the applicant and the Application may be dismissed.
5. Heard learned Advocates for the parties and perused the record. As per the case of the prosecution, the role attributed to the Applicant is to the effect that the Applicant is alleged to have purchased the goods from the first informant and had not paid the amount of consideration. Having regard to the nature of offence and the alolegations levelled against the Applicant, the Application deserves consideration. This court has also considered the following aspects:
(a) As per catena of decisions of Hon’ble Supreme Court, there are mainly 3 factors which are required to be considered by this court i.e. prima facie case, availability of Applicant accused at the time of trial and tampering and hampering with the witnesses by the accused.
(b) That the learned Advocate for the Applicant has submitted that the Applicant Accused is not likely to flee away.
(c) That the Applicant is in custody since 21.01.2025.
(d) The law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra v. C.B.I. Reported in (2012) 1 SCC 40 .
6. Having heard the learned Advocates for the parties and perusing the record produced in this case as well as taking into consideration the facts of the case, nature of allegations, gravity of accusation, availability of the Applicant Accused at the time of Trial etc. and the role attributed to the present Applicant accused, the present Application deserves to be allowed and accordingly stands allowed. This Court has also gone through the FIR and police papers and also the earlier order passed by the learned Sessions Court where the learned Sessions Judge has disallowed the bail Application at initial stage. The Applicant Accused is ordered to be released on bail in connection with the aforesaid FIR on executing a personal bond of Rs.10,000/- with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court, subject to the following conditions that he shall:
(a) not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the fact of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or any Police Officer or tamper with the evidence.
(b) maintain law and order and not to indulge in any criminal activities.
(c) furnish the documentary proof of complete, correct and present address of residence to the Investigating Officer and to the Trial Court at the time of executing the bond and shall not change the residence without prior permission of the trial Court.
(d) provid
The court established that an applicant's good reputation and the nature of allegations can justify bail, subject to conditions to prevent tampering and ensure compliance.
The court granted bail despite the applicant's criminal history, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the nature of allegations and the applicant's compliance with conditions.
The court ruled that the absence of material evidence linking the applicant to the alleged offence warranted the granting of bail, emphasizing the need for a prima facie case.
The court granted bail considering custody duration and compliance with outlined conditions, emphasizing non-interference with judicial processes.
The court granted bail under BNSS Section 483, emphasizing the need for strict conditions due to the Applicant's criminal history and the nature of allegations.
The application for bail is granted under specified conditions to prevent witness tampering and ensure the attendance of Applicants during trial.
The court emphasized the need to balance the gravity of allegations against the applicant's rights, allowing bail with strict conditions to prevent tampering with evidence.
The court granted bail considering the applicant's reputation, gravity of allegations, and ensuring compliance with conditions while addressing risks related to flight and witness tampering.
The court granted bail based on the applicant's good reputation, the nature of allegations, and compliance with specific conditions, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of bail factors.
The court granted bail under BNSS Section 483, emphasizing the need to consider the prima facie case, custody duration, and potential flight risk, while imposing strict conditions to ensure complianc....
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