Bail is the rule and committal to jail is an exception, and the purpose of keeping the accused in detention during investigation is to secure their attendance, not punishment.

JUDGMENT

Alok Kumar Verma, J. - This Bail application has been filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for grant of regular bail in connection with FIR No.248 of 2019, registered with Police Station Kaliyar Sharif, District Haridwar for the offence under Sections 409, 420, 120-B of IPC and Section 13(1)(d) read with Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

2. In the scholarship scam, in compliance of the letter dated 17.04.2018 of the Home Department of the State of Uttarakhand, a Special Investigation Team was constituted under the Chairmanship of Mr. Rajendra Kholia, Sub-Inspector. After enquiry, Mr. Rajendra Kholia, Sub-Inspector, lodged an FIR on 14.10.2019 against the owner/manager of Uttaratech Polytechnic Dhanuri, Roorkee, District Haridwar.

3. Heard Mr. Navneet Kaushik, the learned counsel for the applicant and Mr. T.C. Agarwal, the learned Deputy Advocate General assisted by Mr. P.S. Uniyal, the learned Brief Holder for the State.

4. Mr. Navneet Kaushik, the learned counsel for the applicant, submitted that at the relevant point of time, the applicant was the District Social Welfare Officer, Haridwar; he was not named in the FIR; the matter in dispute pertains to the year 2012-13 to 2015-16; the applicant had verified the applications of the concerned students and after verification, the scholarship were disbursed in accordance with law; the applicant is a resident of District Haridwar and he is in custody since 18.09.2021. He further submitted that the applicant is behind the bar for more than ninety days’, however, no charge-sheet has been filed so far.

5. Mr. T.C. Agarwal, the learned Deputy Advocate General, has opposed the bail application and submitted that the applicant had violated the Government order dated 25.07.2006. However, he fairly submitted that the charge-sheet has not been filed so far; he further conceded that no departmental enquiry has been initiated against the applicant. He submitted that it is not clear at this stage of the investigation whether any of the scholarship amount was received by the applicant and if it was received, how much was received.

6. Bail is the rule and committal to jail is an exception. Refusal of bail is a restriction on the personal liberty of the individual, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The object of keeping the accused person in detention during the investigation is not punishment. The main purpose is manifestly to secure the attendance of the accused.

7. Having considered the submissions of learned counsel for both the parties and in the facts and circumstances of the case, there is no reason to keep the applicant behind the bars for an indefinite period, therefore, without expressing any opinion as to the merit of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant deserves bail at this stage.

8. The bail application is allowed.

9. Let the applicant Anurag Shankhdhar be released on bail on his executing a personal bond and furnishing two reliable sureties, each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions :-

i) the applicant shall make himself available for interrogation by the Investigating Officer as and when requires;

ii) the applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of this case;

10. It is clarified that if the applicant misuses or violates any of the conditions, imposed upon him, the Investigating Officer will be free to move the court for cancellation of bail.