2009 (66) ACC 240
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
VIJAY KUMAR VERMA, J.
PANKAJ KASHYAP – Applicant
Versus
STATE OF U.P. - Opposite Party
Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 21846 of 2008
Decided on : May 12, 2009
Bail - Unnatural Offence - The court rejected the bail application of the accused who was charged with committing unnatural offence (sodomy) on a minor, considering the medical report and the victim's statement supporting the prosecution's case. The court also emphasized that long incarceration alone does not warrant bail in a heinous crime.
Fact of the Case:
An FIR was lodged against the applicant for committing unnatural offence (sodomy) on a minor. The applicant claimed false implication due to a tenancy dispute, asserted being a minor at the time of the alleged incident, and sought bail due to long incarceration violating his right to speedy trial.
Finding of the Court:
The court rejected the bail application, considering the injuries found on the victim's private part in the medical report and the victim's statement supporting the prosecution's case. The court emphasized that long incarceration alone does not warrant bail in a heinous crime.
Issues: Dispute of tenancy, false implication, applicant's age at the time of the incident, long incarceration violating right to speedy trial, injuries found on the victim's private part, victim's statement supporting the prosecution's case.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the mere long period of incarceration in jail would not be illegal per se and that detention in jail, even as an under trial prisoner, would not violate Article 21 of the Constitution if the accused has committed the offence.
Final Decision: The bail prayer of the applicant was rejected, and the Trial Court was directed to conclude the trial within six months, making sincere efforts and avoiding unnecessary adjournments.
VIJAY KUMAR VERMA, J.-Heard Sri Yashwant Singh, Advocate appearing for the applicant and A.G.A. for the State and also perused the entire material on record.
2. An FIR was lodged on 10.7.2007 at P.s. Baradari, Bareilly impleading the applicant as accused. The said FIR was lodged by Mohd. Mian S/o Babban Mian.
3. The allegations made in the FIR, in brief, are that the applicant Pankaj Kashyap committed unnatural offence (sodomy) on Razat @ Mohd. Ali, aged about 10-11 years, son of complainant.
4. It is submitted by learned Counsel for the applicant that due to dispute of tenancy, the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case and no such incident as alleged in the FIR had occurred. Next submission is that the applicant was also minor at the time of alleged incident and hence, on the ground of being juvenile, the applicant deserves bail. Last submission made by the learned Counsel is that the applicant is in jail since 11.7.2007 and hence on the ground of long incarceration in jail, he deserves bail now, as due to delay in trial, his fundamental right of speedy trial envisaged under Article 21 of the Constitution is being violated.
5. The bail has been opposed by the learned AGA on the ground that at the time '" of medical examination of the victim, injuries were found on his private part and the victim has supported the FIR version in his statement recorded under section .161, Cr.P.C. and hence, in this heinous crime, the applicant should not be Advocates appeared admitted to bail.
6. So far as the plea of applicant being juvenile is concerned, the applicant has not filed any document to show that the age of the applicant was below eighteen years on the date of offence., If the applicant was below, eighteen, years' on, the date, of, offence as contended now, then, this plea can be taken in the Trial Court. If such plea is taken, inquiry may be made by the. Trial, Court concerned regarding age of the applicant and if the applicant is found below eighteen years on the date of offence, then he may move fresh bail application on this ground, which shall, be considered in ,accordance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
7. Annexure (2) is the copy of the' medical report of the victim, who was, medically examined on 10.7.2007. This report shows that injuries were found on private part (anus) of the victim. In, his statement recorded under section 161,Cr.P.C, the victim has supported the case of the prosecution. Therefore, having regard to all these facts, but without expressing any opinion on merit, in this heinous crime, the applicant does not deserve bail.
8. In my considered' opinion, on the basis of the long incarceration in jail also the applicant cannot be admitted to bail in this heinous crime of unnatural offence. In this context, reference may be made to the case of Pramod Kumar Saxena v. Union of India and others, I in which the Hon'ble Apex Court has held that mere long period of incarceration in jail would not be, per-se illegal. If the accused has committed offence, he has to remain behind bars. Such detention in jail even as an under trial prisoner would not be violative of Article 21 of the Constitution.
9. Consequently, the bail prayer of the applicant Pankaj, Kashyap is hereby rejected.
10. The Trial Court is directed to conclude the trial of the applicant within a period of six months applying the provisions of section 309, Cr.P.C. by making sincere efforts and avoiding unnecessary adjournments.
11. Office is directed to send a copy of this order within a week to the Trial Court concerned for necessary action.
Bail Rejected.
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