High Court
Case Details
Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record. The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant with the prayer to release him on bail during the trial in Case Crime No. 372 of 2023, under Sections 363,366,376(3) IPC & Section 5/6 of POCSO Act, Police Station- Banthara, District- Lucknow. Contention of learned counsel for the applicant is that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the instant matter due to ulterior motive. He submits that initially, the FIR was lodged while alleging that the victim went away from the lawful guardianship of the parent and otherwise it is a missing report. He next submits that the parcha of the investigating officer, which is at page no. 25 (Annexure-2) of the bail application, reveals that the alleged victim was recovered while she was walking on road alone. He added that the statement of the victim under Section 164 CrPC is also demolishing the prosecution story as she stated that she on her own sweet will went away with the applicant and performed marriage and they were living as husband and wife. He further added that the ingredients of Section 376(3) IPC do not attract against the applicant and except apart, there is no other corroborating evidence so as to connect him with the alleged offence. He further submits that the alleged victim herself denied for medical examination, which also creates doubts to the story narrated in the FIR. He further submits that charge- sheet has been filed and as such, there is no possibility that the applicant would tamper with the evidences or would threaten the witnesses. He also submits that the applicant has no previous criminal history and he is languishing in jail since 23.2.2024. He further submits that the applicant undertakes that in case, he is granted bail, he will not misuse the liberty of the same and would cooperate in the trial proceedings. Per contra, learned AGA appearing for the State has opposed the contentions aforesaid and submits that the applicant was involved in committing the aforesaid offence and thus, he is not entitled for any relief. Having heard learned counsels for the parties and after perusal of material placed on record, it transpires that the applicant is languishing in jail since 23.2.2024; the statement of the victim under Section 164 CrPC is demolishing the prosecution story as she stated that she on her own sweet will went away with the applicant and performed marriage and they were living as husband and wife; the ingredients of Section 376(3) IPC do not attract against the applicant as there is no eyewitness of the incident and except apart, there is no other corroborating evidence so as to connect him with the alleged offence; the alleged victim herself denied for medical examination which also creates doubts to the story narrated in the FIR; charge-sheet has been filed and as such, there is no possibility that the applicant would tamper with the evidences or would threaten the witnesses there is no previous criminal history of the applicant coupled with the fact that the applicant has undertaken that if he is granted bail, he will not misuse the liberty of the same and would cooperate in the trial proceedings. Considering the submissions of learned counsel of both sides, nature of accusation and severity of punishment in case of conviction, nature of supporting evidence, prima facie satisfaction of the Court in support of the charge, reformative theory of punishment and considering larger mandate of the Article 21 of the Constitution of India and, without expressing any view on the merits of the case, I find it to be a fit case of bail. Let the applicant- Saurabh involved in the aforementioned crime be released on bail, on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court concerned, with the following conditions:- (1) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence by intimidating/ pressurizing the witnesses, or otherwise during the investigation or trial; (2) 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. He 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; (3) 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.; and (4) 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, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law under Section 174-A of the Indian Penal Code. The identity, status and residential proof of sureties will be verified by the court concerned and in case of breach of any of the above conditions, the court below shall be at liberty to cancel the bail and send the applicant to prison. It is clarified that the observations made in this order are strictly confined to the disposal of this bail application and must not be construed to have any reflection on the merits of the case. Order Date :- 11.2.2025 Shravan
Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record. The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant with the prayer to release him on bail during the trial in Case Crime No. 372 of 2023, under Sections 363,366,376(3) IPC & Section 5/6 of POCSO Act, Police Station- Banthara, District- Lucknow. Contention of learned counsel for the applicant is that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the instant matter due to ulterior motive. He submits that initially, the FIR was lodged while alleging that the victim went away from the lawful guardianship of the parent and otherwise it is a missing report. He next submits that the parcha of the investigating officer, which is at page no. 25 (Annexure-2) of the bail application, reveals that the alleged victim was recovered while she was walking on road alone. He added that the statement of the victim under Section 164 CrPC is also demolishing the prosecution story as she stated that she on her own sweet will went away with the applicant and performed marriage and they were living as husband and wife. He further added that the ingredients of Section 376(3) IPC do not attract against the applicant and except apart, there is no other corroborating evidence so as to connect him with the alleged offence. He further submits that the alleged victim herself denied for medical examination, which also creates doubts to the story narrated in the FIR. He further submits that charge- sheet has been filed and as such, there is no possibility that the applicant would tamper with the evidences or would threaten the witnesses. He also submits that the applicant has no previous criminal history and he is languishing in jail since 23.2.2024. He further submits that the applicant undertakes that in case, he is granted bail, he will not misuse the liberty of the same and would cooperate in the trial proceedings. Per contra, learned AGA appearing for the State has opposed the contentions aforesaid and submits that the applicant was involved in committing the aforesaid offence and thus, he is not entitled for any relief. Having heard learned counsels for the parties and after perusal of material placed on record, it transpires that the applicant is languishing in jail since 23.2.2024; the statement of the victim under Section 164 CrPC is demolishing the prosecution story as she stated that she on her own sweet will went away with the applicant and performed marriage and they were living as husband and wife; the ingredients of Section 376(3) IPC do not attract against the applicant as there is no eyewitness of the incident and except apart, there is no other corroborating evidence so as to connect him with the alleged offence; the alleged victim herself denied for medical examination which also creates doubts to the story narrated in the FIR; charge-sheet has been filed and as such, there is no possibility that the applicant would tamper with the evidences or would threaten the witnesses there is no previous criminal history of the applicant coupled with the fact that the applicant has undertaken that if he is granted bail, he will not misuse the liberty of the same and would cooperate in the trial proceedings. Considering the submissions of learned counsel of both sides, nature of accusation and severity of punishment in case of conviction, nature of supporting evidence, prima facie satisfaction of the Court in support of the charge, reformative theory of punishment and considering larger mandate of the Article 21 of the Constitution of India and, without expressing any view on the merits of the case, I find it to be a fit case of bail. Let the applicant- Saurabh involved in the aforementioned crime be released on bail, on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court concerned, with the following conditions:- (1) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence by intimidating/ pressurizing the witnesses, or otherwise during the investigation or trial; (2) 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. He 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; (3) 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.; and (4) 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, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law under Section 174-A of the Indian Penal Code. The identity, status and residential proof of sureties will be verified by the court concerned and in case of breach of any of the above conditions, the court below shall be at liberty to cancel the bail and send the applicant to prison. It is clarified that the observations made in this order are strictly confined to the disposal of this bail application and must not be construed to have any reflection on the merits of the case. Order Date :- 11.2.2025 Shravan