GAUHATI HIGH COURT
Manisana, J.
Kishanlal Pareek -Appellant
Versus
Prahlad Agarwalla and Others -Respondent
Criminal Revision No. 188 of 1985
Decided On : 15-09-1985
{'KEYWORD': 'Pre-Arrest Bail', 'SUBJECT': 'Cancellation of Bail', 'ACT SECTION LIST': 'Section 436, 437, 438, 439A Cr.P.C.', 'SUMMARY': 'The court held that the order of the Sessions Judge granting pre-arrest bail to the respondents cannot be allowed to stand as the offence under section 302, IPC was added to the registered offences, changing the character and complexion of the case. The court also held that the benefit of bail granted under section 436, Cr.P.C. could not be extended to cover a different set of circumstances covered by sections 437, 438, and 439A, Cr.P.C.'}
Fact of the Case:
The respondents were granted bail under section 436, Cr.P.C. for bailable offences. Later, the offence under section 302, IPC was added to the registered offences. The respondents filed a petition for pre-arrest bail under section 438, Cr.P.C., which was allowed by the Sessions Judge. The petitioner, who is the victim's brother, filed a revision petition against the order of the Sessions Judge.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the order of the Sessions Judge granting pre-arrest bail to the respondents cannot be allowed to stand as the offence under section 302, IPC was added to the registered offences, changing the character and complexion of the case. The court also held that the benefit of bail granted under section 436, Cr.P.C. could not be extended to cover a different set of circumstances covered by sections 437, 438, and 439A, Cr.P.C.
Issues: Whether the order of the Sessions Judge granting pre-arrest bail to the respondents can be allowed to stand.
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the provisions of sections 436, 437, 438, and 439A, Cr.P.C. to hold that the order of the Sessions Judge granting pre-arrest bail to the respondents cannot be allowed to stand. The court also relied on the decision of the Supreme Court in Pokar Ram vs. State of Rajasthan, AIR 1985 SC 969, to hold that some very compelling circumstances must be made out for granting bail to a person accused of committing murder.
Final Decision: The court allowed the revision petition and quashed the order of the Sessions Judge granting pre-arrest bail to the respondents. The court also cancelled the bail-bonds, if any, furnished by the respondents.
"Let Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code be added along with other Sections of Law. As Section 302 or the Indian Penal Code is a non-bailable offence, hence the prayer of 1/0 is allowed. Permission is granter to rearrested the accused persons as prayed."
2. On 6.3.85, the respondents and Rajendra Rai filed Cril. Misc. Case No. 66 of 1985 in the Court of Session; Dibrugarh under Section 438, Cr. PC for granting pre-arrest bail. Records show that on 6.3.85, the present petitioner, Krishnalal Pareek also filed an objection against the granting of the pre-arrest bail. The objection of the present petitioner was registered as Criminal Misc. Case No. 68 of 1985 treating the objection as one for cancellation of the pre-arrest bail. On 6.3.85, the learned Sessions Judge passed an order under Section 438 directing the O.C., Doom Dooma P.S. to allow the accused to go on bail of Rs. 6000/--each with one local surety of each, to his own satisfaction, in the event of their arrest, in connection with Doom Dooma P.S. Case No. 26/85. The learned Sessions Judge also passed an order on 24.4.85 in Criminal Misc. Case No. 68 of 1985 that the petition for cancellation of bail stood rejected. Being aggrieved by the said order, dated 6.3.85 and 24.4.85 the petitioner, Krishaalal Pareek has filed the revision petition in this Court.
3. Mr. J. P. Bhattacharjee, learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petition for grant of pre-arrest bail was not maintainable, and that in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in Pokar Ram vs. State of Rajastnan, AIR 1985 SC 969, the order of the learned Sessions Judge granting bail cannot be allowed to stand. Mr. S. Birmiwal, learned counsel for the respondent has submitted that in view of the order passed by the learned Magistrate to arrest the accused persons, they had no other alternative but to approach the Sessions Court for the pre-arrest bail and that the decision in Pokar Ram (Supra) cannot be applied in the present case.
4. The question which arises for consideration is whether the order of the Sessions Judge granting the pre-arrest bail can be allowed to stand. The learned Sessions Judge granted the pre-arrest bail on the grounds (a) that the accused persons who were already granted the bail on 23.2.85 had to face rear rest under order dated 4.3.85 without cancelling of their earlier bail: (b) that no notice was given to the accused to show cause as to why the bail bonds should not be cancelled; (c) that the learned Magistrate straightway gave the direction to the police to arrest the accused under the same case; (d) that the status of the petitioner would not be changed even if the offence was converted into one under section 302, IPC from that of Section 325, IPC; (e) that there was no report against the accused for violation or misuse or abuse of the direction of the Court.
5. Under Section 436, there is no provision for cancellation of bail. However, under sub-section (2) of Section 436, the Court may refuse to release the accused on bai
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