IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
Shree Prakash Singh, J.
Ajay Kumar – Appellant
Vs.
State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Deptt. Lko. – Respondent
CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 12921 of 2024
Decided On : 11-02-2025
(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 302 and 201 - Bail application - Accused seeks bail during trial for murder and evidence destruction charges - Court considers lack of prior criminal history, absence of direct evidence against the accused, and the main accused being granted bail - Court emphasizes the importance of Article 21 of the Constitution in ensuring personal liberty - Bail granted with conditions to ensure cooperation and prevent tampering with evidence. (Paras 2, 6, 7)
(B) Bail - The court must balance the severity of the allegations against the accused's rights - The principle of bail is to ensure that the accused is not unjustly deprived of liberty without sufficient evidence. (Paras 6, 9)
Facts of the case:
The applicant, accused in a murder case, claims false implication and lack of evidence against him, while the main accused has already been granted bail.
Findings of Court:
The applicant's lack of prior criminal history and the nature of the accusations support the decision to grant bail.
Issues: Whether the applicant should be granted bail considering the nature of the accusations and the absence of substantial evidence against him.
Ratio Decidendi: The court determined that the applicant's rights under Article 21 and the lack of strong evidence warranted granting bail while ensuring conditions to prevent misuse.
Result: Bail granted.
JUDGMENT :
Shree Prakash Singh, J.
1.Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record.
2. The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant with the prayer to release him on bail during the trial in Case Crime No. 219 of 2023, under sections 302 & 201 of the I.P.C., Police Station-Bachhrawan, District -Raebareli.
3. Contention of learned counsel for the applicant is that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the instant matter due to ulterior motive. He added that the applicant is not named in the first information report and the main accused is one, Manoj Kumar Kasyap, who admitted in his statement that he by way of some hard object, had beaten the deceased, who has already been enlarged on bail vide order dated 19- 12-2024 passed by this court in Criminal Appeal No. 3663 of 2024. He next added that on the basis of suspicion, the police has implicated the applicant and there is no ample evidence against him so as to lead to punishment. He submits that the applicant has no previous criminal history and he is languishing in jail since 20-04-2023. Further submitted that the applicant undertakes that in case, he is granted bail, he will not misuse the liberty of the same and would cooperate in the trial proceedings.
4. Per contra, learned AGA appearing for the State has opposed the contentions aforesaid and submits that there are serious allegations against the applicant and as such, he is not entitled for any relief.
5. Having heard learned counsels for the parties and after perusal of material placed on record, it transpires that the applicant is languishing in jail since 20-04-2023; there is no previous criminal history of the applicant as has been explained in paragraph 23 of the bail application; the main accused named above, has already been enlarged on bail by this court coupled with the fact that the applicant has undertaken that if he is granted bail, he will not misuse the liberty of the same and would cooperate in the trial proceedings.
6. Considering the submissions of learned counsel of both sides, nature of accusation and severity of punishment in case of conviction, nature of supporting evidence, prima facie satisfaction of the Court in support of the charge, reformative theory of punishment and considering larger mandate of the Article 21 of the Constitution of India and, without expressing any view on the merits of the case, I find it to be a fit case of bail.
7. Let the applicant-Ajay Kumar involved in the aforementioned crime be released on bail, on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court concerned, with the following conditions:-
(1) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence by intimidating/ pressurizing the witnesses, or otherwise during the investigation or trial;
(2) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. He shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufÏcient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 229-A of the Indian Penal Code;
(3) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C.;
(4) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law under Section 174-A of the Indian Penal Code.
8. The identity, status and residential proof of sureties will be verified by the court concerned and in case of breach o
The court granted bail based on the applicant's lack of prior criminal history and insufficient evidence against him, emphasizing the rights under Article 21.
The court granted bail based on the principle of parity, lack of prior criminal record, and the applicant's undertaking to cooperate with the trial.
The principle of 'Presumption of Innocence Unless Proven Guilty' underpins the right to bail, and the burden lies on the prosecution to demonstrate exceptional circumstances warranting denial of bail....
The court emphasized the importance of personal liberty under Article 21, granting bail based on the victim's statement undermining the prosecution's case.
The court granted bail based on the applicant's distinct role in the crime, lack of motive, and cooperation with the investigation.
Bail granted - Failure by person released on bail or bond to appear in Court - On bail on his executing a personal bond and two sureties each in like amount to satisfaction of court concerned
Bail is a rule and imprisonment is an exception; the presumption of innocence must be upheld until proven guilty.
The court may grant bail based on the circumstances of the case, without expressing an opinion on the merit of the case.
The court granted bail due to lack of evidence against the applicant and his commitment to cooperate with trial proceedings.
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