The court granted anticipatory bail based on the applicant's lack of criminal history and willingness to cooperate with the investigation, emphasizing careful discretion in bail applications.

ORDER :

RULE. Learned APP waives service of notice of Rule for and on behalf of the respondent No.1 – State of Gujarat.

1. By way of the present application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”), the applicant has prayed for anticipatory bail in the event of arrest in connection with the FIR being C.R. No. 11195050240493 of 2024 registered with Tharad Police Station, Dist. Banaskantha, for the offences punishable under Sections 409, 420, 120B and 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860.

2. Learned advocate for the applicant submits that the applicant has nothing to do with the offence. The applicant has no past antecedent. Allegation against the applicant is that, he is alleged supplier of contraband liquor. Therefore, custodial interrogation at this stage is not necessary. Besides, the applicant is available during the course of investigation and will not flee from justice. In view of the above, the applicant may be granted anticipatory bail.

3. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent – State has opposed grant of anticipatory bail looking to the nature and gravity of the offence. He has submitted that the applicant in connivance with other accused involved in supplying and selling the liquor. Therefore, custodial interrogation is required. Hence, application does not deserve any consideration.

4. Having heard the learned advocate for the parties and perusing the investigation papers, it is equally incumbent upon the Court to exercise its discretion judiciously, cautiously and strictly in compliance with the basic principles laid down in a plethora of decisions of the Hon’ble Apex Court on the point. It is well settled that, among other circumstances, the factors to be borne in mind while considering an application for bail are (i) the nature and gravity of the accusation; (ii) the antecedents of the applicant including the fact as to whether he has previously undergone imprisonment on conviction by a Court in respect of any cognizable offence; (iii) the possibility of the applicant to flee from justice; and (iv) where the accusation has been made with the object of injuring or humiliating the applicant by having him so arrested. Though at the stage of granting bail an elaborate examination of evidence and detailed reasons touching the merit of the case, which may prejudice the accused, should be avoided. I have considered the following aspects.

(1) Nothing is found from conscious possession of the applicant.

(2) Allegation against the applicant is that, he is alleged supplier. Except this, no role is attributed to the applicant.

(3) Applicant is running his medical store.

(4) Applicant has no past antecedent.

(5) He is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation.

5. Considering the aforesaid aspects and the law laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre vs. State of Maharashtra and Ors. reported in (2011) 1 SCC 6941, wherein the Hon’ble Apex Court reiterated the law laid down by the Constitution Bench in the case of Shri Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia & Ors. reported in (1980) 2 SCC 665 and propositions laid down in cases of Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar reported in (2014) 8 SCC 273; Satender Kumar Antil v. Central Bureau of Investigation & Anr. reported in (2022) 10 SCC 51 and Md. Asfak Alam vs. State of Jharkhand and Another reported in 2023 SCC OnLine SC 892, I am inclined to allow the present application.

6. In the result, the present application is allowed by directing that in the event of arrest / appearance of the applicant in connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11195050240493 of 2024 registered with Tharad Police Station, Dist. Banaskantha, the applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) with one surety of like amount on the following conditions that applicant:

(a) shall cooperate with the investigation and make himself available for interrogation whenever re