SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

2025 Supreme(GUJ) 433

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE CHARGESHEET) NO. 25322 of 2024 ==========================================================
KASHYAP @ SONU KEPSAN NETLEKAR Versus STATE OF GUJARAT & ANR.
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR MOUSAM R YAGNIK(3689) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MR A N ANJARIA(13538) for the Respondent(s) No. 2 MR. KANVA ANTANI, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1 ==========================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. R. MENGDEY Date : 18/03/2025

Petitioner Advocates:MR MOUSAM R YAGNIK(3689) ,Respondent Advocate: PUBLIC PROSECUTOR(2)

The court granted bail based on the absence of corroborative evidence from the victim's statement and the Applicant's compliance with conditions, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach in bail applications.

Headnote:(A) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 483 - Application for regular bail - Applicant accused of sexual assault on a minor - Court considers factors including prima facie case, custody duration, and likelihood of fleeing - Application granted with conditions imposed. (Paras 1, 5, 7, 8)

(B) Bail - Conditions for grant - Court emphasizes the necessity of maintaining law and order, non-tampering with evidence, and regular reporting to police. (Paras 8, 10)

Facts of the case:
The Applicant sought bail in connection with an FIR for sexual assault on a 12-year-old victim. The victim's statement did not corroborate the allegations against the Applicant. (Paras 1, 5, 7)

Findings of Court:
The Application for bail is allowed considering the nature of allegations and the absence of corroborative evidence from the victim's statement. (Paras 8)

Issues: The main issues included the nature of the allegations, the victim's statement, and the Applicant's likelihood of fleeing. (Paras 5, 7)

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that the absence of corroborative evidence from the victim's statement and the Applicant's willingness to comply with bail conditions warranted the granting of bail. (Paras 8)

Result: Application for bail is granted.

ORDER :

(M.R. MENGDEY, J.)

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. 11191040242452 of 2024 registered with Sardar Nagar Police Station, Ahmedabad.

2. Heard learned Advocate for the Applicant, learned APP for the Respondent – State and learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the Original Complainant.

3. Rule. Learned APP waives service of notice of Rule on behalf of the Respondent - State and learned Advocate Mr. A.N.Anjaria waives service of notice of Rule on behalf of the Original Complainant.

4. 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.

5. Per contra, learned APP has opposed the present application for grant of regular bail contending that the age of the victim was merely 12 Years at the relevant time of the incident. The Applicant had subjected the said victim to sexual assault and had committed the act with him without his consent. 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.

6. Learned Advocate Mr. A.N.Anjaria appearing on behalf of the Original Complainant has submitted that the matter has been amicably settled between the parties and he has no objection if the Applicant is ordered to be enlarged on bail. He therefore submitted to pass appropriate order.

7. Heard learned Advocates for the parties and perused the record. From the record it appears that the Applicant is alleged to have subjected the victim to sexual assault. However, in the statment of the victim recorded under Section 164 of Cr.P.C. the victim has not referred to any untoward incident having taken place with him at the hands of the present Applicant. Considering these aspects, 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 20.12.2024.

(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.

8. 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.

(

Click Here to Read the rest of this document
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
SupremeToday Portrait Ad
supreme today icon
logo-black

An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance

qr

Scan Me!

India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

whatsapp-icon Back to top