Courted ordered release of under-trial applicant on bail in a case involving abduction, rape, and penetrative sexual assault, citing overcrowding and delayed trials without addressing merit.
Release on bail with personal bond and sureties.
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Neutral Citation No. - 2023:AHC:219056
Court No. - 64
Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 45631 of 2023
Applicant :- Sagar Opposite Party :- State Of U.P. And 3 Others Counsel for Applicant :- Brijesh Kumar Gautam,Shiv Vilas Mishra Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A.,Neeraj Srivastava
Hon'ble Siddharth,J.
Heard learned counsel for the applicant as well as the learned AGA for the State and perused the material placed on record.
The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant, Sagar , with a prayer to release him on bail in Case Crime No. 109 of 2023, under Sections 363, 376 IPC and 3/4(2) of POCSO Act, Police Station-Babugarh, District- Hapur, during pendency of trial.
There are allegations against the applicant of abduction of a minor girl, commission of offence of rape and penetrative sexual assault.
Learned counsel for the applicant has submitted that the victim in her statement recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C., has not made any allegation against the applicant and anyone. She has stated that after being scolded by her parents she left her house and went to her bua's house. However, in her statement recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C., she has made allegation of commission of offence of rape against the applicant. Learned counsel for applicant has submitted that both the statements of victim are contradictory. The victim knew applicant since last two years. No external or internal injuries were found on the body of the victim. The applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. He has no criminal history to his credit and is languishing in jail since 31.03.2023. The trial in the aforesaid case is not likely to be concluded in near future.
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, she does not deserves any indulgence. In case the applicant is released on bail, she will again indulge in similar activities and will misuse the liberty of bail.
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 the 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 trial; 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 :- 17.11.2023 Abhishek
Digitally signed by :- ABHISHEK YADAV High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
2 issues framed by the court
Whether the applicant accused under Sections 363, 376 IPC and POCSO be released on bail considering contradictory victim statements and overcrowding in jails.
Whether fundamental right to speedy trial under Article 21 mandates bail release in long-pendency unclosed trials despite serious charges.
Colour shows how this judgement treated each authority
Satendra Kumar Antil Vs. C.B.I. & AnotherReferred¶11
Satendra Kumar Antil Vs. C.B.I. & Another, S.L.P. (Crl.) No. 5191 of 2021, judgement dated 11.7.2022
Sagar
State Of U.P.
Siddharth
As recorded by the court registry
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