IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
ARUN KUMAR SINGH DESHWAL, J.
Anuraj Gautam - Appellant
Versus
State of U.P. and Another - Respondents
Application U/S 482 No.31786 of 2024
Decided on : 24-02-2025
(A) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Sections 41, 41-A, 88, 170, 204, 209, 436-A - Application for quashing proceedings under Section 138 N.I. Act - Applicant seeks to surrender and apply for bail instead of quashing - Court directs that bail application be considered expeditiously if surrendered within two weeks. (Paras 5, 6)
(B) Bail - Directions for expeditious disposal of bail applications - The court emphasizes compliance with statutory provisions and previous judgments regarding bail procedures. (Paras 7, 8)
Facts of the case:
The applicant filed a 482 Cr.P.C. application to quash proceedings under Section 138 N.I. Act but later opted to surrender and seek bail.
Findings of Court:
The court directed that the bail application be decided expeditiously upon surrender.
Issues: The main issue was whether the applicant could quash the proceedings or should surrender and seek bail.
Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that the applicant's choice to surrender and seek bail was valid, and emphasized the need for timely consideration of bail applications as per statutory mandates.
Result: Application disposed of with directions.
JUDGMENT :
Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal, J.
1. Learned counsel for the applicant is permitted to correct the name of the applicant during the course of the day.
2. Office is also directed to correct the cause title.
3. Heard Sri Janardan Prasad Tripathi, learned counsel for the applicant, Sri Pankaj Kumar Mishra, learned counsel for the opposite party no. 2, Sri Ramesh Kumar, learned A.G.A for the State and perused the record.
4. The present 482 Cr.P.C. application has been filed to quash the entire proceeding of Complaint Case No. 997 of 2023 (Rakesh Kumar Sharma Vs. Anurag Gautam) u/s 138 N.I. Act, Police Station- Kotwali, pending in the court of learned Presiding OfÏcer, Additional Court, Aligarh and summoning order dated 03.07.2024 passed by learned Presiding OfÏcer, Additional Court, Aligarh.
5. At the very outset, learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant does not want to press the prayer for quashing of the proceedings. He wants to surrender before the court below and apply for bail. He further submits that this Court may be pleased to direct the court concerned to consider the bail application of the applicant expeditiously within stipulated period of time as may be fixed by this Court.
6. In view of the aforesaid submissions, the present application is disposed of with the direction that in case, the applicant surrenders before the Court concerned and applies for bail within two weeks from today, his bail application shall be considered and decided expeditiously by the court below, in view of law laid down by the Apex Court in the case of Satender Kumar Antil vs Central Bureau of Investigation and another, (2022) 10 SCC 51
7. For reference paras 100 to 100.11 of Satender Kumar Antil (supra) are being quoted as under:
"100. In conclusion, we would like to issue certain directions. These directions are meant for the investigating agencies and also for the courts. Accordingly, we deem it appropriate to issue the following directions, which may be subject to State amendments:
100.1. The Government of India may consider the introduction of a separate enactment in the nature of a Bail Act so as to streamline the grant of bails.
100.2. The investigating agencies and their ofÏcers are duty-bound to comply with the mandate of Sections 41 and 41-A of the Code and the directions issued by this Court in Arnesh Kumar [Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCC 273 : (2014) 3 SCC (Cri) 449]. Any dereliction on their part has to be brought to the notice of the higher authorities by the court followed by appropriate action.
100.3. The courts will have to satisfy themselves on the compliance of Sections 41 and 41-A of the Code. Any non-compliance would entitle the accused for grant of bail.
100.4. All the State Governments and the Union Territories are directed to facilitate Standing Orders for the procedure to be followed under Section 41 and 41-A of the Code while taking note of the order of the High Court of Delhi dated 7-2-2018 in Amandeep Singh Johar v. State (NCT of Delhi) [Amandeep Singh Johar v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2018 SCC OnLine Del 13448] and the Standing Order issued by Delhi Police i.e. Standing Order 109 of 2020, to comply with the mandate of Section 41-A of the Code.
100.5. There need not be any insistence of a bail application while considering the application under Sections 88, 170, 204 and 209 of the Code.
100.6. There needs to be a strict compliance of the mandate laid down in the judgment of this Court in Siddharth [Siddharth v. State of U.P., (2022) 1 SCC 676 : (2022) 1 SCC (Cri) 423].
100.7. The State and Central Governments will have to comply with the directions issued by this Court from time to time with respect to constitution of special courts. The High Court in consultation with the State Governments will have to undertake an exercise on the need for the special courts. The vacancies in the position of Presiding OfÏcers of the special courts will have to be filled up expeditiously.
100.8. The High Courts
The court emphasized the need for timely consideration of bail applications and adherence to statutory provisions regarding bail procedures.
The court emphasized the need for timely consideration of bail applications and adherence to statutory provisions in bail procedures.
The court emphasized the importance of expeditious consideration of bail applications and adherence to statutory provisions, allowing the applicant to surrender instead of quashing the summoning orde....
The court directed that bail applications should be considered expeditiously, emphasizing the importance of compliance with statutory provisions regarding bail.
The court mandated expedited consideration of bail applications and emphasized compliance with statutory provisions regarding bail procedures.
The court emphasized the importance of expeditious consideration of bail applications and compliance with statutory provisions, affirming the applicant's right to seek bail upon surrender.
The court emphasized the need for compliance with statutory bail provisions and timely disposal of bail applications, reinforcing established legal principles.
The court established that an applicant can seek bail while not pursuing the quashing of a complaint, and that bail applications should be considered expeditiously in accordance with established lega....
Applicants appear/surrender before the court below within three weeks from today and apply for bail.
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