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2026 Supreme(Online)(Guj) 17862

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
P. M. Raval, J
Jitendrakumar Talaji Gelot – Appellant
Versus
State of Gujarat – Respondent
R/SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION (QUASHING) NO. 7636 OF 2026



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Maulik M Soni
For the Respondents: Rohan Raval

A court may exercise its discretion to cancel a non-bailable warrant if the accused provides an undertaking to remain present for all future trial dates, provided that potential judicial delays are addressed through the imposition of costs.

Headnote:(A) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 70 - Constitution of India - Article 226 - Non-bailable warrant - Cancellation of - Petitioner seeking conversion of non-bailable warrant into bailable warrant - Accused absent due to other pending criminal proceedings - Court possesses discretion to set aside non-bailable warrant if the accused provides an undertaking to attend all future hearings and compensates for procedural delays caused by absence - Justice must be balanced with ensuring the progress of the trial. (Paras 2, 5)

Facts of the case:
An application was moved before the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking to convert a non-bailable warrant issued under Section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure into a bailable warrant. The warrant had been issued following successive absences of the accused from trial court proceedings, which the accused attributed to his involvement in legal challenges regarding other pending cases.

Findings of Court:
The court acknowledged the reasons for the absence but emphasized that the judicial process must continue without unnecessary delay. In the interest of justice, the court accepted the undertaking of the accused to remain present on all future hearing dates on the condition that the accused pay costs to the trial court to compensate for the disruption of the schedule.

Issues: Whether a non-bailable warrant, issued due to persistent non-attendance, can be substituted with a bailable warrant upon the applicant providing assurance of future cooperation and payment of costs.

Ratio Decidendi: Judicial warrants serve as mechanisms to secure the presence of an accused in court. Where an accused demonstrates bonafide intent to participate in the trial and provides an undertaking for future appearance, the court may exercise its discretion to cancel a non-bailable warrant and impose conditions, such as costs, to prioritize judicial efficiency and the timely conclusion of proceedings.

Result: Petition partly allowed; non-bailable warrant cancelled subject to conditions.

Table of Content
1. initiation of constitutional petition for procedural warrant relief. (Para 1 , 2)
2. parties' contentions regarding the conversion of non-bailable warrants. (Para 3 , 4)
3. judicial discretion for conditional cancellation of non-bailable warrants. (Para 5 , 6)

ORAL ORDER

1. Rule returnable forthwith. Learned APP waives service of notice of rule on behalf of respondent-State.

2. This petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been preferred with the prayer to convert the non-bailable warrant dated 11.12.2025 issued under Section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure into a bailable warrant. The petitioner challenges the warrant issued against him in Criminal Case No. 779 of 2025.

3. Without entering into the merits of the case, which are not relevant for the purpose of deciding the present petition, learned advocate Mr. Maulik Soni would submit that the petitioner is aged 40 years and is engaged in the business of trading onions, potatoes and garlice under the name and style of Jeet Trading Company. Other two FIRs are also lodged against him, and he was pursuing his legal remedy, and therefore he could not remain present before the concerned trial court on the dates so fixed.

4. Per contra, learned APP Mr. Rohan H. Raval would submit that, in view of the submissions made by the learned advocate for the petitioner during the arguments, the petitioner is ready and willing to file an undertaking before the learned trial Court. He would further submit that the complaint is private in nature; however, some costs as well as condition may be imposed so that the trial may be conducted without any delay. Considering the same, appropriate orders may be passed.

5. Having heard learned advocates for the respective parties and having perused the averments made in the petition and the documents made available along with the petition, it appears that a non-bailable warrant was issued against the present petitioner due to his successive absence. Though learned advocate for the petitioner has fairly submitted that two other FIRs were lodged against him during this period, be that as it may, in the interest of justice, the petitioner is directed to file an undertaking before the trial Court to the effect that he would remain present on every date of hearing unless exempted by the trial Court, and in view of the same, the following order is passed:

i) The non-bailable warrant issued under Section 70 Cr.P.C. against the present petitioner dated 11.12.2025 is cancelled on condition of depositing costs of ₹5,000 before the trial Court. The petitioner shall remain present before the concerned Court on 6th July, 2026 and shall also undertaking on the same day.

6. In view of above, the present petition is partly allowed in the aforesaid terms. Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent.

Direct service is permitted.

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