Allowed

Lakhan v. State of U.P. and 3 Others

Allahabad HC26 Jul 2023BAIL/59934/2022

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This bail application involved an applicant charged under the POCSO Act and IPC for alleged rape of a minor. The High Court granted bail considering jail overcrowding and fundamental rights to speedy trial, albeit without expressing an opinion on the merits of the case. Conditions included ensuring presence in court and prohibiting witness tampering.

What did the court decide?

Release of the applicant on personal bond and two sureties subject to conditions ensuring presence in court and no tampering with evidence, with directions to conclude the trial within one year.

Lakhan Vs State of U.P. and 3 Others — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Allahabad HC (2023)

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Neutral Citation No. - 2023:AHC:150039

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Court No. - 64

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Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 59934 of 2022

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Applicant :- Lakhan Opposite Party :- State Of U.P. And 3 Others Counsel for Applicant :- Arun Kumar Shukla,Shalini Mishra Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A.,Pradeep Kumar

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Hon'ble Siddharth,J.

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Heard learned counsel for the applicant as well as the learned AGA for the State and perused the material placed on record.

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The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant, Lakhan, with a prayer to release him on bail in Case Crime No. 181 of 2022, under Sections 376AB, 506 IPC and Section 5/6 of POCSO Act, Police Station Khaga, DistrictFatehpur, during pendency of trial.

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There is allegation against the applicant of committing the offence of rape against a minor girl, threatening and also offence under Section 5/6 of POCSO Act.

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Learned counsel for the applicant has submitted that as per the ossification test report age of the victim is found to be 17 years. However, given margin of one year on higher side, she can be considered to be major. The medical report of the victim does not supports the allegations made against the applicant. No sign of any injury 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 16.05.2022. The trial in the aforesaid case is not likely to be concluded in near future.

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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.

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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

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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 :-

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

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(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.

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(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.

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(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.

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(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.

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In case, of breach of any of the above conditions, it shall be a ground for cancellation of bail.

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Identity and residence proof of the applicant and sureties be verified by the court concerned before the bonds are accepted.

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The court below is directed to conclude the trial against the applicant, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of one year.

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10 . Registrar(Compliance) is directed to communicate this order to the concerned court below within ten days .

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Order Date :- 26.7.2023 Abhishek

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Digitally signed by :- ABHISHEK YADAV High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

Lakhan v. State of U.P. and 3 Others

Case brief

What is this about?

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Lakhan v. State of U.P. and 3 Others

Case brief

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