Amit Kumar Lodhi v. State of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko

Court No. -15 Case :-CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. -13172 of 2024 Applicant :-Amit Kumar Lodhi Opposite Party :-State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko. Counsel for Applicant :-O.P. Tiwari,Kamlakshi,Mayank Mohan Mishra Counsel for Opposite Party :-G.A. Hon'ble Shree Prakash Singh,J. 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. 268 of 2024, under sections 380, 411 and 457 of the I.P.C.,Police Station-Maurawan, District -Unnao. 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 added that the applicant is not named in the first information report and the first information report is lodged while alleging that some unknown person entered into the house and had stolen some valuable items including the jewellery of gold and sliver, though the police has failed to collect any cogent piece of evidence against the applicant so as to connect him in the matter. He next added that the applicant has three cases criminal history, which are after the first information is lodged and the applicant is languishing in jail since 14.08.2024. He submits that the identically situated co-accused has already been enlarged in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 12742 of 2024 vide order dated 10.12.2024. He submits that the chargesheet has been filed and as such, there is no possibility that the applicant will tamper the evidences or will threaten the witnesses. Further submitted 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 there are serious allegations against the applicant and as such,he is not entitled for any relief, but he could not dispute the fact that the identically situated co-accused has already been enlarged on bail. 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 14.08.2024; the applicant is not named in the first information report; three cases criminal history of the applicant has been explained 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 counsels for the parties, 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-Amit Kumar Lodhi 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 :- 20.12.2024 Mayank High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench