Bilkish Bano v. State of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko.
Case brief
What is this about?
Criminal Misc. Bail Application 3828 of 2025, Allahabad High Court Lucknow Bench, Manish Mathur J., decided 6.5.2025; bail granted in cow slaughter and animal cruelty case (Case Crime No. 94 of 2025, Cow Slaughter Act Ss. 3/5/8, Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act S. 11, P.S. Mohanganj, District Amethi); grounds: only general allegations, no independent witness of recovery, no beef recovered, custody since 10.04.2025, no previous criminal history; reliance on Sanjay Chandra v. CBI (2012) 1 SCC 40 (bail is the rule, Article 21 liberty); personal bond with two like sureties and conditions under Ss. 229-A, 174-A IPC and Ss. 82, 313 Cr.P.C.; no expression of opinion on merits.
What did the court decide?
Release of applicant Bilkish Bano on bail on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned, subject to imposed conditions: (i) undertaking not to seek adjournment when witnesses are present, default to be treated as abuse of liberty of bail; (ii) remaining present before the trial court on each date fixed personally or through counsel, failing which proceedings may follow under Section 229-A IPC; (iii) proceedings under Section 174-A IPC upon failure to appear after proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C. issued on misuse of bail; (iv) personal presence at opening of the case, framing of charge and recording of statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C., deliberate absence to be treated as abuse of liberty of bail.