High Court

1. Learned A.G.A. has filed a counter-affidavit which is taken on record. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that he does not wish to file any rejoinder-affidavit. However, he submits that he has filed a supplementary-affidavit to explain the criminal history of the applicant and the same is also taken on record.

2. By means of the instant bail application, the applicant seeks bail in respect of Case Crime No.40 of 2024, under Sections 395, 412, 420, 465, 471 IPC and 4/5 Explosive Substance Act, relating to Police Station Jethwara, District Pratapgarh.

3. The submission of the learned counsel for the applicant is that the applicant has been falsely implicated. It is alleged that the applicant was not named in the FIR and as per the version of the First Information Report, it is stated that on 27.02.2024 while the complainant after closing his medical shop was going home, on the way he was accosted by two unknown persons who at the gunpoint took away the motorcycle of the complainant and also his wallet which only had a pan card.

4. It is further urged that on the basis of the said First Information Report the applicant was apprehended and allegedly from the possession of the applicant, four country made bombs were allegedly recovered. It is also pointed out that the fake recovery has been deliberately shown in order to falsely implicate the applicant and there is no public witness in respect of the said recovery. Insofar as the other co-accused are concerned, it is shown that the police recovered some country made bombs and other incriminating articles from the co- accused. It is also stated that as per the recovery memo, the four country made bombs were in the jacket pocket, worn by the applicant, which needless to say is quite improbable. It is in the aforesaid context that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the instant case and he has been in Jail since 05.03.2024.

5. It is further submitted that the other than the instant case, the applicant has seven criminal cases have been shown against the applicant including present one, the copy of which has been brought on record as annexure no.S.A.1 to the supplementary- affidavit. In case crime No.712 of 2021, case crime No.80 of 2022, case crime No.24 of 2024, in all the aforesaid cases, the applicant is on bail. In so far as case crime No.193/2021 and case crime No.81 of 2022, the applicant was not aware about the case although these cases are of petty offence and the case crime No.40/2024 relating to present one in which the applicant has filed the bail application and case crime No.135/2024, under section 2/3 U.P. Gangsters Act, P.S. Jethwara, Pratapgarh have been imposed on the basis of the instant case.

6. It has also been urged that the co-accused Shubham @ Paras Saroj and Mohd. Arman have been enlarged on bail by this Court by means of order dated 25.04.2024 passed in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No.4429/2024 and order dated 10.07.2024 passed in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No.7319 of 2024 a copy thereof has been placed on record as Annexure No.5 and 6.

7. Learned A.G.A., on the basis of material in the case diary available with him, has opposed the prayer for bail and submits that the applicant was apprehended along with the other co- accused while traveling on a stolen motorcycle and as such the applicant is not entitled to the bail.

8. Considering the rival submissions, the facts and circumstances of the case and the material available on record as well as considering the nature of allegations and accusation against the applicant, the severity of the punishment if convicted and the period of incarceration as well as the fact that no apprehension has been expressed by the learned AGA that the applicant is at the risk of fleeing justice or that he would tamper with evidence or influence any witness, hence, at this stage, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail.

9. Let the applicant Meraj alias Adil involved in the Case Crime No.40 of 2024, under Sections 395, 412, 420, 465, 471 IPC and Section 4/5 Explosive Substances Act, relating to Police Station Jethwara, District Pratapgarh be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two reliable sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned.

10. At the time of executing required sureties the following conditions shall be 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.

11. In case of breach of any of the above conditions, it shall be a ground for cancellation of bail. Order Date :- 6.1.2025

1. Learned A.G.A. has filed a counter-affidavit which is taken on record. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that he does not wish to file any rejoinder-affidavit. However, he submits that he has filed a supplementary-affidavit to explain the criminal history of the applicant and the same is also taken on record.

2. By means of the instant bail application, the applicant seeks bail in respect of Case Crime No.40 of 2024, under Sections 395, 412, 420, 465, 471 IPC and 4/5 Explosive Substance Act, relating to Police Station Jethwara, District Pratapgarh.

3. The submission of the learned counsel for the applicant is that the applicant has been falsely implicated. It is alleged that the applicant was not named in the FIR and as per the version of the First Information Report, it is stated that on 27.02.2024 while the complainant after closing his medical shop was going home, on the way he was accosted by two unknown persons who at the gunpoint took away the motorcycle of the complainant and also his wallet which only had a pan card.

4. It is further urged that on the basis of the said First Information Report the applicant was apprehended and allegedly from the possession of the applicant, four country made bombs were allegedly recovered. It is also pointed out that the fake recovery has been deliberately shown in order to falsely implicate the applicant and there is no public witness in respect of the said recovery. Insofar as the other co-accused are concerned, it is shown that the police recovered some country made bombs and other incriminating articles from the co- accused. It is also stated that as per the recovery memo, the four country made bombs were in the jacket pocket, worn by the applicant, which needless to say is quite improbable. It is in the aforesaid context that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the instant case and he has been in Jail since 05.03.2024.

5. It is further submitted that the other than the instant case, the applicant has seven criminal cases have been shown against the applicant including present one, the copy of which has been brought on record as annexure no.S.A.1 to the supplementary- affidavit. In case crime No.712 of 2021, case crime No.80 of 2022, case crime No.24 of 2024, in all the aforesaid cases, the applicant is on bail. In so far as case crime No.193/2021 and case crime No.81 of 2022, the applicant was not aware about the case although these cases are of petty offence and the case crime No.40/2024 relating to present one in which the applicant has filed the bail application and case crime No.135/2024, under section 2/3 U.P. Gangsters Act, P.S. Jethwara, Pratapgarh have been imposed on the basis of the instant case.

6. It has also been urged that the co-accused Shubham @ Paras Saroj and Mohd. Arman have been enlarged on bail by this Court by means of order dated 25.04.2024 passed in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No.4429/2024 and order dated 10.07.2024 passed in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No.7319 of 2024 a copy thereof has been placed on record as Annexure No.5 and 6.

7. Learned A.G.A., on the basis of material in the case diary available with him, has opposed the prayer for bail and submits that the applicant was apprehended along with the other co- accused while traveling on a stolen motorcycle and as such the applicant is not entitled to the bail.

8. Considering the rival submissions, the facts and circumstances of the case and the material available on record as well as considering the nature of allegations and accusation against the applicant, the severity of the punishment if convicted and the period of incarceration as well as the fact that no apprehension has been expressed by the learned AGA that the applicant is at the risk of fleeing justice or that he would tamper with evidence or influence any witness, hence, at this stage, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail.

9. Let the applicant Meraj alias Adil involved in the Case Crime No.40 of 2024, under Sections 395, 412, 420, 465, 471 IPC and Section 4/5 Explosive Substances Act, relating to Police Station Jethwara, District Pratapgarh be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two reliable sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned.

10. At the time of executing required sureties the following conditions shall be 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.

11. In case of breach of any of the above conditions, it shall be a ground for cancellation of bail. Order Date :- 6.1.2025