Prince Sahani Alias Baliram Sahani v. State of U.P. and 3 Others

Court No. - 64 Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 37685 of 2023 Applicant :- Prince Sahani Alias Baliram Sahani Opposite Party :- State Of U.P. And 3 Others Counsel for Applicant :- Prateek Kumar,Manish Gupta Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A. Hon'ble Siddharth,J. List has been revised. As per office report dated 01.12.2023, notice on opposite party no.2 has been served personally, but no one has put in appearance on behalf of opposite party no.2 to oppose this bail application. Heard learned counsel for the applicant; learned AGA for the State and perused the material placed on record. The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant, Prince Sahani Alias Baliram Sahani, with a prayer to release him on bail in Case Crime No. 479 of 2023, under Sections 376, 420 IPC and 3/4 (2) POCSO Act, Police Station Shahpur, District-Gorakhpur, during pendency of trial. There are allegations against the applicant of commission of offences of rape and penetrative sexual assault of a minor girl on false promise of marriage. Learned counsel for the applicant has submitted that it is a case of false implication of the applicant. Even otherwise the victim had consenting relationship with the applicant. The applicant has no criminal history to his credit and he is languishing in jail since

17.7.2023. In case, the applicant is released on bail, he will not misuse the liberty of bail. Per contra learned A.G.A. has opposed the prayer for bail of the applicant by contending that the innocence of the applicant cannot be adjudged at pre trial stage, therefore, he does not deserves any indulgence. In case the applicant is released on bail he will again indulge in similar activities and will misuse the liberty of bail. The Apex Court in the cases of Sonu @ Subhash Kumar Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh and another, 2021 0 Supreme (SC) 182, Promod Suryabhan Pawar Vs. State of Maharastra and others, MANU/SC/1142/2019, Dhruvaram Murlidhar Sonar Vs. State of Maharastra and others, MANU/SC/1518/2018, Naim Ahamed Vs. State (NCT of Delhi), Criminal Appeal No. 257 of 2023, Shambhu Kharwar Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh and another, 2022 Lawsuit(SC)973 has held that entering into physical relationship on false promise of marriage does not amounts to commission of offence of rape. Having considered the submissions of the parties noted above, finding force in the submissions made by the learned counsel for the applicant; keeping in view uncertainty regarding conclusion of trial; one sided investigation by police, ignoring the case of accused side; applicant being under-trial having fundamental right to speedy; larger mandate of the Article 21 of the Constitution of India, considering the dictum of Apex Court in the case of Satendra Kumar Antil Vs. C.B.I. & Another, passed in S.L.P.(Crl.) No. 5191 of 2021, judgement dated 11.7.2022 and considering 5-6 times overcrowding in jails over and above their capacity by under trials and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, let the applicant involved in the aforesaid 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 that :-

(i) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or threaten the witnesses.

(ii) 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.

(iii) The applicant shall remain present before the Trial Court on each date fixed, either personally or as directed by the Court. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the Trial Court may proceed against him under Section 229-A of the Indian Penal Code.

(iv) In case the applicant misuse the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C. is issued and the applicants fail 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.

(v) 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. In case, of breach of any of the above conditions, it shall be a ground for cancellation of bail. Identity and residence proof of the applicant and sureties be verified by the court concerned before the bonds are accepted. Order Date :- 2.12.2023/Ruchi Agrahari High Court of Judicature at Allahabad High Court of Judicature at Allahabad