The court ruled that bail is warranted based on the applicant's lack of prior offences and the completion of the investigation, while imposing strict conditions to ensure compliance.

ORDER :

M. R. MENGDEY, J.

1. Rule. Learned APP waives service of notice of Rule on behalf of respondent-State.

2. This application is filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita for regular bail in connection with F.I.R. No.11195019241130 of 2024 registered with Deesa Rural Police Station, District Banaskantha.

3. Learned advocate for the applicant has submitted that considering the nature of offence and role attributed to the applicant, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable conditions.

4. The learned APP appearing for the respondent State has vehemently submitted that the applicant had the knowledge of the fact that the other co-accused had concealed contraband substance opium worth 519 gms in the stepney of the car and despite the said knowledge, the applicant had handed over the said car to the other co-accused for transportation of contraband substance. Learned APP has, therefore, submitted that the offences which have been charged, are serious in nature and looking to the facts as well as the allegations levelled against the applicant, no discretion is required to be exercised.

5. Heard learned advocates appearing for the parties and perused the material available on record. From the record it appears that the investigation is over and Charge-sheet has already been filed. As per the case of prosecution, the role attributed to the present applicant is to the effect that the applicant was aware that the other co-accused had concealed 519 gms of opium in the stepney of car. The applicant herein had thereafter handed over the said car to the other co-accused. Having regard to the same and so also the fact that the applicant does not appear to be having other antecedents, the present application deserves consideration.

6. 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 16.01.2025.

(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 .

7. In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of allegations made in the FIR and without discussing the evidence in details as well as without going into details, prima-facie, this Court is of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion to enlarge the applicant on bail. Hence, the application is allowed and the applicant is ordered to be released on bail in connection with the aforesaid FIR, on executing a bond of Rs.10,000/- with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court and subject to the conditions that;

(a) shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the fact of the case so as to dissuade from disclosing such facts to the Court or any Police Officer or tamper with the evidence.

(b) shall maintain law and order and not to indulge in any criminal activities.

(c) shall 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 residence without prior permission of the trial Court.

(d) shall provide contact numbers as well as the contact numbers of the sureties before the Trial Court. In case of change in such numbers inform in writing immediately to the trial Court.

(e) shall file an affidavit stating immovable properties whether self acquired or ancestral with description, location and present value of such properties before the Trial Court, if any.

(f) shall not leave the territory of Gujarat State without pri