1. The instant application is filed under Section 438 of Code of Criminal Procedure seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Umra Police station, District - Surat CR No. I - 108/2012 regarding offences punishable under sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 474 read with section 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code.
2. Mr.
H.S.Tolia, learned advocate representing the applicant herein, at the out set, drew my attention to the relevant part of the FIR and submitted that the only role attributed to the applicant, who is accused no.6 in the FIR, is that on mobile phone, he allegedly told the complainant to settle the matter. He submitted that the applicant shall co-operate the investigating police agency in the investigation.
3. Heard Mr. M.G.Nanavati, learned APP for the respondent-state and it has been submitted by him that if the applicant would be released on anticipatory bail, he is likely to temper with the evidence.
4. Having considered the submissions advanced on behalf of both the sides, so also the facts and circumstances of the case and the role attributed to the applicant, this Court is of the opinion that subject to imposition of reasonable conditions, the application deserves to be allowed. This Court has also taken into consideration the law laid down by the Apex Court in the case of Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre v. State of Maharashtra & Ors. Reported in [2011]1 SCC 694, wherein the Apex Court reiterated the law laid down by the Constitutional Bench in the case of Shri Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia & Ors. Reported in [1980]2 SCC 565.
5. Learned counsel for the parties do not press for further reasoned order.
6. In the result, this application is allowed by directing that in the event of the applicant herein being arrested pursuant to FIR being CR No.I-108 of 2012 with Umra Police Station, District: Surat, the applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing a bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with one surety of like amount on following conditions :-
[a] shall cooperate with the investigation and make himself available for interrogation whenever required.
[b] shall remain present at concerned Police Station on 06.07.2012 between 11:00 am to 2:00 pm:
[c] shall not hamper the investigation in any manner nor shall directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any witness so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any Police Officer;
[d] shall at the time of execution of bond, furnish the address to the Investigating Officer and the Court concerned and shall not change the residence till the final disposal of the case or till further orders;
[e] will not leave India without the permission of the Court and, if is holding a Passport, shall surrender the same before the trial Court immediately [f] It would be open to the Investigating Officer to file an application for remand, if he considers it just and proper and the concerned Magistrate would decide it on merits.
[g] despite this order, it would be open for the Investigating Agency to apply to the competent Magistrate, for police remand of the applicant. The applicant shall remain present before the learned Magistrate on the first date of hearing of such application and on all subsequent occasions, as may be directed by the learned Magistrate. This would be sufficient to treat the accused in the judicial custody for the purpose of entertaining application of the prosecution for police remand. This is, however, without prejudice to the right of the accused to seek stay against an order of remand, if ultimately granted, and the power of the learned Magistrate to consider such a request in accordance with law. It is clarified that the applicants, even if, remanded to the police custody, upon completion of such period of police remand, shall be set free immediately, subject to other conditions of this anticipatory bail order.
(h) The applicant shall not enter the limits of Surat city till 24th September, 2012. However, for attending the police station as ordered above and whenever the investigating police officer shall seek his assistant, he may attend the city.
7. For modification and/or deletion of any of the conditions herein above, the applicant/s will be at liberty to approach the concerned Court and such Court shall decide the application for modification and/or deletion of any of the conditions of this order in accordance with law.
8. At the trial, the trial court shall not be influenced by the observations of preliminary nature, qua the evidence at this stage, made by this Court while enlarging the applicant on bail.
9. Rule made absolute. Application is disposed of accordingly.
10. Direct service is permitted.
[J.C.UPADHYAY, J.] cmj/ Top