A Judicial Magistrate can convert a warrant of arrest into a bailable warrant under Section 71 CrPC, and the provisions of Section 71 CrPC apply to both accused and witnesses.

Shiv Kumar Sharma, J.- The accused petitioner Suresh has moved this bail application under Section 438 CrPC in a case under Section 376 IPC read with Section 6 of Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The allegations against the petitioner are that he committed rape with the prosecutrix and threatened her to make public her nude photographs. During the course of arguments following three questions emerged.

1) Whether a Judicial Magistrate in exercise of powers under Section 71 CrPC can convert warrant of

arrest into bailable warrant in a case triable by me Sessions Court?

2) Whether the provisions contained in Section 71 CrPC are applicable only to the witnesses?

3) What is the scope of sub-section (3) of Section 438 CrPC ?

(2). Learned advocate of the Bar who were invited to assist the court made their respective submissions. (3). In Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia vs. State of Punjab AIR 1980 SC 1632, their Lordships of the Supreme Court indicated that the High Court and the court of Sessions to whom the application for anticipatory bail is made ought to be left free in the exercise of their judicial discretion to grant bail if they consider it fit to do so on the particular facts and circumstances of the case and on such conditions as the case may warrant. (4). The Division Bench of this Court in Ghanshyam vs. State of Rajasthan 1977 RCC 19 observed that the provisions contained in Section 438 CrPC are applicable to a case where cognizance of a nonbailable offence has been taken by a Magistrate against any person and a warrant of arrest has been issued to compel his attendance. (5). Similar view was taken in Nand Ram vs. State of Rajasthan 1979 RLW 477 by the Division Bench of this Court. (6). Mr. S.K. Gupta, learned counsel invited my attention towards the provisions contained in Section 438 CrPC and canvassed that the view taken by the Division Bench of this Court in Ghanshyam vs. State of Rajasthan (supra) is not correct and matter may be referred to Larger Bench. I am unable to parsuade myself to agree with the submissions of Mr. Gupta. In order to attract the provisions contained in sub-section (3) of Section 438 CrPC issuance of directions under sub-section (I) of Section 438 is necessary. Sub-Section (3) of Section 438 CrPC provides that after issuance of directions under sub-section (1) of Section 438 CrPC if a person is arrested without warrant by police officer and if such person is prepared at the time of arrest or at any time while in the custody of such officer to give bail, he shall be released on and in case where the Magistrate took cognizance and issue warrant of arrest against such person in whose favour directions under sub-section (1) of Section 438 were issued the Magistrate shall issue bailable warrant in conformity with the direction of the court under sub-section (1) of Section 438 Cr.P.C. whereas in Ghanshyam vs. State (supra) situation was quite different. It was held that anticipatory bail could be granted even though the Magistrate had taken cognizance of non-bailable offence and issued warrant of arrest. (7). In so far as interpretation of Section 71 CrPC is concerned, I am of the view that a Judicial Magistrate under this section can convert warrant of arrest into bailable warrant. The word ‘person’ used in this section can be attracted to the accused as well as the witnesses. This court had occasion to interpret Section 70(2) of Cr.P.C. in Santu Ram vs. State of Rajasthan 1991 RCC 454 and it was indicated that in sub-section (2) of Section 70 Cr.P.C. the Magistrate had all the powers to reconsider the orders with regard to issue of non-bailable warrants. (8). In Duli Chand & Anr. vs. State of Rajasthan 1993 Cr.L.J. 827, it was held that order of issuance of warrant of arrest can he convened into bailable warrants. (9). In Surindra Singh vs. State of Rajasthan 1981 Cr.L.R. (Raj.) 226, it was observed that the Magistrate has jurisdiction to cancel the warrant of arrest issued by