Sharookh Khan v. State of U.P

Court No. - 73 Case :- CRIMINAL MISC ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION U/S 438 CR.P.C. No. - 11117 of 2023 Applicant :- Sharookh Khan Opposite Party :- State of U.P. Counsel for Applicant :- Zafar Abbas,Sarve Nazir Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A. Hon'ble Nalin Kumar Srivastava,J.

¶1Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the material available on record.

¶2Apprehending his arrest, the present anticipatory bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant - Sharookh Khan in Case Crime No.477 of 2022, under Section 506 I.P.C. and Section 67 Information Technology Act, Police Station Thakurdwara, District Moradabad, with a prayer to enlarge him on anticipatory bail.

¶3Some objectionable photographs and videos were prepared by the present applicant when the minor victim was changing her clothes and on the basis of aforesaid photographs / videos, the victim was blackmailed for a long span of time and she was sexually exploited by the applicant. F.I.R. was lodged on

18.10.2022 and after investigation charge-sheet was submitted, but however the name of the applicant was exonerated, but subsequently further investigation took place in the matter and charge-sheet was submitted against the applicant also.

¶4It is submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and he has apprehension of his arrest in the above-mentioned case, whereas there is no credible evidence against her. He has been falsely implicated into this matter. Allegations levelled against the applicant are false. The investigation of the case has been completed and charge-sheet has been filed. It is further submitted that the offence of sexual exploitation of the minor victim has been committed by the main accused Saniv and the present applicant has absolutely no role in the commission of the alleged crime. He has been assigned the role of making obscene videos / photographs of the victim as per her statement recorded under section164 Cr.P.C., but as a matter of fact, no such video / photograph / screenshot is made part of the case diary. It is further submitted that the applicant has been cooperative throughout the investigation having no criminal antecedents to his credit. It is further submitted that no custodial interrogation is required in this matter from the applicant and as such he is entitled for anticipatory bail.

¶5Per contra, learned A.G.A. opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail, but however could not dispute this factual aspect of the matter that the alleged obscene video / photographs / mobile screenshots are not part of the case diary.

¶6In Sushila Aggarwal and others vs. State (NCT of Delhi) and another, (2020) 5 SCC 1, the Hon'ble Apex Court has settled the controversy finally by holding the anticipatory bail need not be of limited duration invariably. In appropriate case, it can continue upto conclusion of trial. It 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. It 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, likelihood 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.

¶7Hence, 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 end of the trial in the matter.

¶8The anticipatory bail application is allowed.

¶9In the event of arrest of the applicant in the aforesaid case crime, he shall be released on anticipatory bail till end of the trial 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 make himself available before the court concerned on the date fixed in the matter;

(ii) 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 / her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer;

(iii) The applicant shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court and if he has passport, the same shall be deposited by him before the S.S.P./S.P. Concerned.

¶10In case of default of any of the conditions, same may be a ground for cancellation of protection granted to the applicant. Order Date :- 28.10.2023 ss High Court of Judicature at Allahabad