Court No. - 6
Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 20603 of 2021 Applicant :- Samiksha Patel Opposite Party :- State of U.P.
Counsel for Applicant :- Yashwant Pratap Singh Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A.
Hon'ble Ajay Bhanot,J.
Heard Sri Yashwant Pratap Singh, 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.110 of 2020 at Police Station-Luxa, District-Varanasi on 18.12.2020 under Sections 406, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 IPC.
The bail application of the applicant was rejected by learned Additional District & Sessions Judge/learned Special Judge, POCSO Act, Court No.1, Varanasi on 09.04.2021.
The applicant is in jail since 24.03.2021, pursuant to the said F.I.R.
Sri Yashwant Pratap Singh, learned counsel for the applicant contends that the applicant is a young college going girl. She is unmarried. The F.I.R. was lodged as a result of matrimonial dispute between her uncle and aunt. Her life and career will be in jeopardy if she continues to remain incarcerated in jail. The applicant has not forged any document. The applicant has been falsely implicated in the instant case and she does not have any criminal history. Lastly it is submitted by Sri Yashwant Pratap Singh, 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 Sri Yashwant Pratap Singh, 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 merits of the case, the bail application is allowed.
Let the applicant-Samiksha Patel be released on bail in Case Crime No.110 of 2020 at Police Station-Luxa, District-Varanasi registered on 18.12.2020 under Sections 406, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 IPC, on her 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 her counsel or personally as and when directed by the learned trial court. In case of her absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against her 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 her in accordance with law.
(iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial, the trial in order to secure her 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 her, 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 Ashish Tripathi Digitally signed by Justice Ajay Bhanot Date: 2021.05.23 17:43:57 IST Reason: Document Owner Location: High Court of Judicature at Allahabad