Heard learned counsel for the applicant as well as learned Additional Government Advocate for the State and perused the material placed on record.
The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant with a prayer to release him on bail in Case Crime No. 54 of 2020, under Section 3/5A/8 of U.P. Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act and section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, police station Shahabganj, district Chandauli, during the pendency of trial.
Learned counsel for the applicant submitted that first information report has been lodged against seven accused persons, namely, Ram Chandar @ Chandan Sonkar (applicant), Pritam @ Bachcha, Guddu Sonkar, Kamlesh Sonkar, Manoj Sonkar, Chotu Sonkar and Suraj Sonkar making allegation against them that they were carrying eight cattle by cruelly tied up together. It is next submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that admittedly, in this case there is no evidence of slaughtering of cattle. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is absolutely innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case with some ulterior motive. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that incriminating articles were recovered from the possession of the applicant. It is also submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that co-accused Guddu Sonkar, Kamlesh Sonkar, Manoj Sonkar, Chhotu Sonkar and Suraj Sonkar have already been granted bail by co-ordinate Bench of this Court vide order dated 18.01.2021 in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 1319 of 2021. It is next contended that there are no chances of the applicant of fleeing away from the judicial process or tampering with the prosecution evidence. The applicant is languishing in jail since 01.10.2020. He does not have any criminal history to his credit. In case, the applicant is released on bail, he will not misuse the liberty of bail.
Per contra learned A.G.A. has opposed the bail prayer of the applicant by contending that the innocence of the applicant cannot be adjudged at pre trial stage therefore, the applicant does not deserve any indulgence. In case, the applicant is released on bail, he will misuse the liberty of bail.
Keeping in view the nature of the offence, evidence, complicity of the accused, submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, I am of the view that the applicant has made out a fit case for bail. Hence, the bail application is hereby allowed.
Let the applicant Ram Chandra @ Chandan Sonkar, be released on bail in the aforesaid case crime number on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions which are being imposed in the interest of justice:-
(i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law.
(ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 229-A of the Indian Penal Code.
(iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C. is issued and 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 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.
(v) The applicant shall file computer generated copy of this order downloaded from the official website of High Court Allahabad.
(vi) The computer generated copy of this order shall be self attested by the counsel of the party concerned.
(vii) 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.
It is clarified that anything said in this order is limited to the purpose of determination of this bail application and will in no way be construed as an expression on the merits of the case. The trial court shall be absolutely free to arrive at its independent conclusions on the basis of evidence led unaffected by anything said in this order.
Order Date :- 21.1.2021 Sazia