IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL No. OF 2026 (Arising out of SLP(Crl.) No. 20606 of 2025)

ASHUTOSH PRATAP SINGH Appellant(s)

VERSUS STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH Respondent(s)

O R D E R

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal arises from an order dated 12.12.2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench, rejecting the anticipatory bail prayer of the appellant in connection with FIR No.80 of 2021, dated 17.02.2021, registered at Police Station Hazratganj, District Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

3. After considering the submissions of the learned counsel for the appellant, on 19.12.2025 following order was passed:

“1. The submission of the learned counsel for the Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by petitioner is that as per the First Information DEEPAK SINGH Date: 2026.02.28 Reason:

accused by an acquaintance and, thereafter, in the year 2019, certain sums were advanced by way of loan which have not been returned despite demand. It is the case of the petitioner that those sums were by way of investment in a Company, and, therefore, the allegations qua the petitioner are nothing but mala fide

2. Issue notice, returnable in six weeks.

3. In the meantime, it is provided that in the event the Petitioner is arrested in connection with FIR No. 80/2021, registered at P.S. Hazaratganj, District Lucknow, he shall be released on a personal bond of Rs. 25,000/- subject to an undertaking that he shall cooperate in the investigation and make himself available for interrogation as and when required by the investigating agency. He shall also submit an undertaking that he will not threaten the witnesses or tamper the evidence. ”

4. Upon service of notice, the respondent-State is represented.

5. The learned counsel for the State has submitted that the appellant has joined investigation and the charge-sheet has also been filed.

6. In view of the above, we do not find a good reason to discharge the interim order passed earlier.

7. In such circumstances, we deem it appropriate to dispose of this appeal by making the interim order absolute subject to the following conditions:

(A) Within three weeks from today, the appellant shall submit bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Trial Court along with an undertaking that he shall co-operate in the trial/investigation, if any, required; and (B) He shall submit an additional undertaking that he will not threaten the witnesses or tamper the evidence.

8. The appeal stands disposed of in the above terms.

9. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

……………………………………………….J [MANOJ MISRA]

……………………………………………….J [MANMOHAN] New Delhi;

February 25, 2026.

ITEM NO.9 COURT NO.14 SECTION II S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 20606/2025 [Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 12-12-2025 in CRPC No. 1373/2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench]

ASHUTOSH PRATAP SINGH Petitioner(s)

VERSUS STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH Respondent(s)

(IA No. 329433/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT AND IA No. 329431/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.)

Date : 25-02-2026 This matter was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ MISRA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN For Petitioner(s) :

Mr. Mukesh Kumar Sharma, AOR Mr. Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Adv.

Mr. Yogendra Singh, Adv. Mr. Kartik Davansh, Adv.

For Respondent(s) :

Mr. Shaurya Sahay, AOR Mr. Aman Jaiswal, Adv.

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following

O R D E R

1. Leave granted.

2. The appeal is disposed of in terms of the signed order.

3. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

(DEEPAK SINGH) (NIKITA SINGH)

ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS COURT MASTER (NSH)

[Signed order is placed on the file]