RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
Rameshwar Vyas, J.
Bharat Kumar & Ors. - Appellants
Versus
State of Rajasthan & Ors. - Respondents
Criminal Appeal No. 760 of 2021
Decided On : 24-09-2021
BAIL - S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act - The court analyzed the bail application under Section 14A of the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015, considering the nature of the injuries and the absence of criminal antecedents against the appellants. The court concluded that the appeal for bail should be accepted, setting aside the previous order denying bail.
Fact of the Case:
The appellants filed a criminal appeal under Section 14A of the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015, challenging the rejection of their bail application by the Special Judge. They were in custody for various offences, including those under the IPC and the S.C./S.T. Act.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the injuries reported were grievous but not life-threatening, and there were no prior criminal records against the appellants. The court determined that the appeal for bail should be granted.
Issues: Whether the appellants are entitled to bail under the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act given the nature of the charges and the circumstances of the case.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the nature of the injuries and the lack of criminal history were significant factors in deciding the bail application, leading to the conclusion that the appellants should be granted bail.
Result: The appeal was allowed, the previous order denying bail was set aside, and the appellants were ordered to be released on bail upon fulfilling certain conditions.
JUDGMENT
Rameshwar Vyas, J. - No one has put in appearance on behalf of the respondent No. 2 despite service of notice upon her.
2. The instant criminal appeal has been filed under Section 14A of the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015 on behalf of the appellants, who are in custody in connection with F.I.R. No. 380/2021, Police Station Bhinmal, District Jalore for the offences under Sections 341, 323, 504, 506 & 307 of I.P.C. and Sections 3(1)(R)(S) & 3(2)(VA) of S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the Order dated 18.08.2021 passed by the Special Judge, S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Cases, Jalore whereby the bail application preferred under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. on behalf of the appellants was rejected.
3. Heard learned counsel for the appellants and learned Public Prosecutor. Perused the material available on record.
4. Learned counsel for the appellants submits that the present F.I.R. has been lodged in counter blast of the F.I.R. lodged by the appellants? party for the offences under Sections 341 & 323 of I.P.C. He further submits that as per injury report of the injured Jagdish, the Injury Nos. 1, 2 & 6 are, though, grievous in nature caused by blunt object but not dangerous to life. He further submits that no offence under Section 307 of I.P.C. is made out. There is no criminal antecedents against the appellants. He, therefore, prays that the appeal of the appellants may be allowed and they may be enlarged on bail.
5. Learned Public Prosecutor opposes the appeal.
6. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and upon a consideration of the arguments advanced and without commenting upon the merits of the case, this Court is of the opinion that the appeal filed by the appellants deserves to be accepted.
7. Consequently, the instant criminal appeal is allowed. The impugned Order dated 18.08.2021 passed by the Special Judge, S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Cases, Jalore is set aside. It is ordered that the accused-appellants (1) Bharat Kumar S/o Chhoga Ram and (2) Lalchandra S/o Chhoga Ram arrested in connection with F.I.R. No. 380/2021, Police Station Bhinmal, District Jalore shall be released on bail provided each of them furnishes a personal bond of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees: Fifty Thousand Only) and two sureties of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees: Twenty Five Thousand Only) each to the satisfaction of the trial Court with the stipulation to appear before that Court on all dates of hearing and as and when called upon to do so.
The court established that the severity of injuries and absence of prior criminal records are critical considerations in granting bail under the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The court established that the absence of the appellant's name in the F.I.R. and the granting of bail to co-accused justified the granting of bail to the appellant under the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of ....
The court's decision was influenced by the nature of the injuries, the likelihood of the trial's conclusion, and the provisions of the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of atrocities) act, 2015.
The court established that the absence of an accused's name in the FIR and the granting of bail to co-accused can justify the granting of bail.
The principle of parity in bail applications under the S.C./S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which mandates that similarly situated individuals should receive similar treatment in bail decisions.
The court established that in cases involving multiple accused, the presence of no direct allegations against an individual can be a significant factor in granting bail.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the court's discretion to grant bail based on the lack of criminal antecedents, completion of investigation, and likelihood of delay in the trial.
The legal principle established is that the compromise between the parties and the filing of the charge-sheet can influence the decision to grant bail.
The court established that bail can be granted under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act when the circumstances indicate that the accused may not pose a flight risk and the trial may take consid....
The court's decision to grant bail was influenced by the fact that star witnesses had turned hostile, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.
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