Court rejected second bail application, holding that merit assessment is for the trial court and detention duration does not justify relief given the gravity of offenses.
Bail application rejected; no order passed on merits of the charges.
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Court No. - 48
Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 1767 of 2018
Applicant :- Ramu Balmiki Opposite Party :- State Of U.P. Counsel for Applicant :- Arun Kumar Pandey Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A.
Hon'ble Karuna Nand Bajpayee,J.
This second bail application has been filed seeking the release of the applicant on bail in Session Trial No.127 of 2014 (State vs. Ramu Balmiki) arising out of Case Crime No.195 of 2014, under Sections-376 I.P.C. and Section 3/4 POCSO Act, Police Station-Navabganj, DistrictKanpur Nagar. The first bail application was rejected by this Court on merits vide order dated 15.07.2016.
Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned A.G.A.
Perused the record.
Sole submission raised by counsel for the applicant is that number of prosecution witnesses have already been produced in the trial court and the trial is going on and the case is at the advanced stage. Counsel for the applicant has tried to touch upon the prosecution evidence given in the court in order to show that a case for bail is made out on that basis. The period of detention of the applicant has also been pointed out.
Learned A.G.A. has opposed the prayer for bail.
After considering the submissions made at the Bar and perusing the record, this Court is of the view that in a case of this nature when the bail application has already been rejected on merits earlier and the trial is already in progress, it shall not be proper to give any finding or pass any order on merits of the case again on the basis of the statements given in the court. The matter is already within the realm of the trial court now and the accused should get the final verdict with regard to his innocence or guilt from the trial court itself on the basis of thorough appreciation of evidence produced in the trial. Weighing the evidence, analysing the testimony and worth of witnesses and thereby making a judicial assessment of the same can more appropriately be done by the trial court. Going into the intricate details and the subtle appreciation of facts at this stage when the trial is already progressing, are all matters relating to trial. Any finding or order passed by this Court on merits after assessing the testimonies of prosecution witnesses produced in the trial court might seriously impair the independent dispassionate assessment of the trial court. This Court, therefore, abstains to pass any detailed order on merits on the point of bail at this stage of the trial, lest it may cause prejudice to either side. Suffice it to say that the case diary and other record disclose enough material to make out prima facie case against the accused and there is enough material to substantiate the charge.
In a case of this gravity along with the nature of evidence which is available on record against applicant, the detention of the applicant can also not be said to be so long drawn out which may constitute a legitimate
ground enough to set him at liberty or may persuade the Court to grant him bail on that basis.
In the aforesaid background, looking to the gravity of offence and the overall facts and circumstances of the case and especially keeping in view the fact that the trial has already started, the bail application stands rejected.
It is clarified that the observations, if any, made in this order are strictly confined to the disposal of the bail application and must not be construed to have any reflection on the ultimate merits of the case.
However, it is expected that the trial court shall make all sincere endeavours to expedite the proceedings of the trial and conclude the same as expeditiously as possible without granting unnecessary adjournment to either party.
Order Date :- 23.5.2018 M. Kumar
1 issue framed by the court
Whether bail should be granted in a serious offense case where the trial is already underway and a previous bail application was rejected on merits.
Ramu Balmiki
Karuna Nand Bajpayee
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
