Heard Sri Kuldeep Kumar, learned counsel for the applicant and learned AGA for the State through video conferencing mode.
A first information report was lodged against the applicant as Case Crime No. 0521 of 2020 at Police Station- Gulavati, District- Bulandshahar on 20.08.2020 under Sections 147, 148, 323, 504, 506, 332, 353, 307, 392 IPC.
The bail application of the applicant was rejected by learned Sessions Judge, Bulandshahar on 04.12.2020.
The applicant is in jail since 22.08.2020 pursuant to the said F.I.R.
Sri Kuldeep Kumar, learned counsel contends all injuries on the person of the alleged victim are simple in nature. There was no specific role attributed to the applicant. Co-accused Abid, Salman, Farman and Rizwan who were named in the FIR were enlarged on bail by this Court vide order dated 24.11.2020 passed in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 39350 of 2020 and 39701 of 2020.The applicant does not have criminal history apart from this case. Applicant also claims entitlement to bail on grounds of parity with the said co-accused. Lastly it is submitted by Sri Kuldeep Kumar, learned counsel for applicant that the applicant shall not abscond, and will fully cooperate in the criminal law proceedings. The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence nor influence the witnesses in any manner.
Learned A.G.A could not satisfactorily dispute the aforesaid submissions from the record.
Courts have taken notice of the overcrowding of jails during the current pandemic situation (Ref.: Suo Motu Writ Petition (c) No. 1/2020, Contagion of COVID 19 Virus in prisons before the Supreme Court of India). These circumstances shall also be factored in while considering bail applications on behalf of accused persons.
I see merit in the submissions of the learned counsel for the applicant and accordingly hold that the applicant is entitled to be enlarged on bail.
In the light of the preceding discussion and without making any observations on the merit of the case, the bail application is allowed.
Let the applicant- Aashiq @ [email protected] Aseef be released on bail in Case Crime No.521 of 2020 at Police Station- Gulavati, District- Bulandshahar under Sections 147, 148, 307, 323, 332, 353, 392, 504, 506 IPC on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court below. The following conditions be imposed in the interest of justice:-
(i) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either through his counsel or personally as and when directed by the learned trial court. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him in accordance with law.
(ii) 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. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law.
(iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial, the trial in order to secure his presence may issue a proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C. In case the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 174-A of the Indian Penal Code.
(iv) The party shall file computer generated copy of such order downloaded from the official website of High Court Allahabad.
(v) The computer generated copy of such order shall be self attested by the counsel of the party concerned.
(vi) The concerned Court/Authority/Official shall verify the authenticity of such computerized copy of the order from the official website of High Court Allahabad and shall make a declaration of such verification in writing.
Order Date :- 21.5.2021 Nadeem Ahmad