IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
Vivek Agarwal, J.
Bablesh Patel – Appellant
Versus
The State of Madhya Pradesh – Respondent
Misc. Criminal Case No. 22808 of 2022
Decided On : 17-05-2022
Bail Application - Criminal Law - The court allowed the bail application of the applicant, Bablesh Patel, who was in custody under various sections of the IPC, POCSO Act, and SC/ST Act. The court considered the fact that the prosecutrix had turned hostile and had not supported the prosecution story, and the applicant had been in custody for a significant period.
Fact of the Case:
The applicant, Bablesh Patel, filed a second bail application under Section 439 of CrPC in connection with a case involving multiple serious charges. The earlier bail application was dismissed with liberty to file a new application after certain conditions were met.
Finding of the Court:
The court allowed the bail application, directing the release of the applicant on bail upon furnishing a personal bond and sureties. The court also directed the trial court to consider issuing a direction against the prosecutrix to refund the amount received by her due to lodging a false report.
Issues: The issues involved the bail application, the examination of the prosecutrix, and the turning hostile of key witnesses. The court also considered the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the release of the applicant.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the fact that the prosecutrix had turned hostile and not supported the prosecution story, as well as the significant period the applicant had been in custody.
Final Decision: The bail application of the applicant, Bablesh Patel, was allowed, and he was directed to be released on bail upon fulfilling certain conditions. The court also directed the trial court to consider issuing a direction against the prosecutrix to refund the amount received by her due to lodging a false report.
ORDER
1. This is second bail application filed on behalf of applicant/Bablesh Patel under Section 439 of CrPC in connection with Crime No.28/2021 under Sections 376, 376(2)(N), 506 of IPC and section 3,4,5J(ii), 5L POCSO Act and section 3(1)(w)(II), 3(1)(w)(II), 3(II)(V) of SC/ST Act registered at police station Mahila Thana, District Sagar and applicant is in custody since 03/11/2021. Earlier bail application (M.Cr.C No. 58753/2021) was dismissed as withdrawn with liberty to file application after prosecutrix is examined and FSL/DNA report is brought on record vide order dated 01/02/2022.
2. Shri Vivek Lakhera, learned G.A submits that though sample was sent on 15/12/2021 for DNA sampling but same is not available.
3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that prosecutrix was examined before the trial court on 23/03/2022. She has turned hostile. She has not supported the prosecution story. So also maternal grand mother and maternal uncle have turned hostile. They have not supported the prosecution story. There is no chance of prosecutrix being influenced and material prosecution witnesses have already been examined. Applicant is in custody since 03/11/2021. Trial will take time to conclude. Therefore, applicant be enlarged on bail.
4. Learned G.A for the State opposes the prayer made by learned counsel for the applicant.
5. Taking into consideration submissions of learned counsel for the parties and the fact that prosecutrix is already examined, she has not supported the prosecution story and applicant is in custody since 03/11/2021. Hence without commenting anything on merits of the case, this bail application is allowed. It is directed that applicant Bablesh Patel be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond to the tune of Rs.50,000/- with two solvent sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court. It is further directed that the applicants shall comply with the provisions of Section 437(3) of the Cr.P.C.
6. Prosecutrix has stated as under:-
7. Trial court will consider issuance of a direction against the prosecutrix to refund the amount received by her because she admitted in her examination in chief that she has lodged false report on account of some oral dispute between the parties. Therefore, alleged false report is lodged, therefore she is not entitled to keep the amount of compensation paid by the State government collected from the tax payer of the country. Thus, trial court will consider to direct the prosecutrix to refund that amount in the appropriate head of the treasury account.
8. In view of the outbreak of new mutant Omicron of Covid-19, the jail authorities and the State Government are directed to follow the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry in the wake of Novel Corona Virus before and after releasing the applicant.
9. In above term, this bail application is disposed of.
10. Certified copy as per rules.
AI
Court allows bail application due to lack of injuries and delayed FIR in a matrimonial case.
Prolonged custody and negative DNA evidence justify granting bail under Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The court considered the lack of support from the prosecutrix and the period of custody undergone by the petitioner in granting regular bail.
The court may grant bail based on the length of custody and the time the trial would take, without commenting on the merits of the case.
The court may grant bail based on the duration of custody and the expected trial duration, without commenting on the merits of the case.
Point of Law : Court finds that the present is a fit case where the judicial discretion to admit the petitioner on bail, is required to be exercised in his favour.
The decision emphasizes the importance of considering the completeness of the investigation, the necessity of custody, and relevant forensic evidence in bail applications involving serious offences.
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