Saleem Ansari v. State of U.P. and Another

Court No. - 73 Case :- CRIMINAL MISC ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION U/S 438 CR.P.C. No. - 10409 of 2023 Applicant :- Saleem Ansari Opposite Party :- State Of U.P. And Another Counsel for Applicant :- Lakshman Singh Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A. Hon'ble Nalin Kumar Srivastava,J.

¶1Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned AGA and perused the material available on record. Supplementary affidavit filed today is taken on record.

¶2This application for anticipatory bail has been filed by applicant- Saleem Ansari in connection with Case Crime No. 535 of 2018, under sections 420, 467, 468, 471 IPC and 3/7 Essential Commodities Act and 66-D I.T. Act, P.S. Kotwali Jalaun, District Jalaun.

¶3The F.I.R. contains the allegation of a large number of irregularities committed in the distribution of food grains and unauthorized Aadhar Cards were used by the fair price shop dealers. In this connection, F.I.R. was lodged on 19.12.2018 against 16 named accused persons and some bearers of Aadhar Cards, which were used in the commission of the crime.

¶4It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that applicant is innocent and he has apprehension of arrest in the above-mentioned case, whereas there is no credible evidence against him. Allegations levelled against the applicant are false. Charge sheet in the matter has been submitted.

¶5It is further submitted that co-accused Ravi Ray Singh @ Ravi Ram has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in Cr. Misc. Anticipatory Bail Application U/S 438 CR.P.C. No. - 9163 of 2023 by order dated 23.8.2023. In case applicant is granted anticipatory bail, he will not misuse the liberty of bail and would obey all conditions of bail.

¶6Learned A.G.A. has opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail.

¶7It reveals from the perusal of the record that no process under Section 82/83 Cr.P.C. has been issued against the applicant till date and he has cooperated during the investigation. After submission of charge sheet now no custodial interrogation is required.

¶8Although the charge sheet has been submitted in this matter but in Sushila Aggarwal and others vs. State (NCT of Delhi) and another, (2020) 5 SCC 1, the Hon'ble Apex Court has settled the law on the subject finally by holding that the anticipatory bail need not be of limited duration invariably. In appropriate case, it can continue upto conclusion of trial.

¶9It has been further held therein that anticipatory bail granted can, depending on the conduct and behavior of the accused, continue after filing of the charge sheet till end of trial.

¶10It has been further held by the Hon'ble Apex Court that while considering an application for grant of anticipatory bail, the court has to consider the nature of the offence, the role of the person, the likelihood of his influencing the course of investigation, or tampering with evidence including intimidating witnesses, llikelihood of fleeing justice, such as leaving the country, etc. It has further been held that Courts ought to be generally guided by considerations such as the nature and gravity of the offences, the role attributed to the applicant, and the facts of the case, while considering whether to grant anticipatory bail, or refuse it. Whether to grant or not is a matter of discretion.

¶11Hence, considering the settled principles of law regarding anticipatory bail, submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, nature of accusation, role of applicant and all attending facts and circumstances of the case, without expressing any opinion of the merits of the case, in my view, it is a fit case for anticipatory bail to the applicant till conclusion of trial in the matter.

¶12The anticipatory bail application is allowed accordingly.

¶13In the event of arrest of the applicant in the aforesaid case crime, he shall be released on anticipatory bail on his furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 50,000/- with two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions :- i. The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence. ii. The applicant shall not pressurize/ intimidate the prosecution witness. iii.The applicant shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he is accused, or suspected, of the commission of which he is suspected. iv.The applicant shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court and if he has passport, the same shall be deposited by her before the S.S.P./S.P. concerned.

¶14In case of breach of any of the above conditions, the Investigating Officer shall be at liberty to file appropriate application for cancellation of anticipatory bail of the applicant in accordance with law. Order Date :- 1.11.2023 Fhd High Court of Judicature at Allahabad High Court of Judicature at Allahabad