Lalita Gangwar vs State of U.P.

Applicant seeks bail in Case Crime No.438 of 2023, under Sections 302, 120-B, 34 I.P.C., Police Station- Quilla, District- Bareilly, during the pendency of trial.

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Learned counsel for the applicant has argued that the applicant is absolutely innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. She has nothing to do with the said offence. The applicant is not named in the suicide note of the deceased person.

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Learned counsel for the applicant has further stated that even the applicant is not named in the FIR and her name has come up on the basis of extrajudicial confession before one Gayatri Devi, which has no evidentiary value in the eyes of law. It is a clear cut case of false implication, as such, the applicant is entitled for bail.

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It is further argued by learned counsel for the applicant that there is no criminal antecedent of the applicant. The applicant is languishing in jail since 20.9.2024 and she is ready to cooperate with trial. In case, the applicant is released on bail, she will not misuse the liberty of bail.

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BAIL No. 39731 of 2025

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2

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Learned A.G.A. has vehemently opposed the bail application.

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The well-known principle of "Presumption of Innocence Unless Proven Guilty" gives rise to the concept of bail as a rule and imprisonment as an exception.

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A person's right to life and liberty, guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, cannot be taken away simply because the person is accused of committing an offence until the guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution states that no one's life or personal liberty may be taken away unless the procedure established by law is followed, and the procedure must be just and reasonable. The said principle has been reiterated by the Supreme Court in Satender Kumar Antil Vs. Central Bureau of Investigation and another, (2022) 10 SCC 51 .

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Reiterating the aforesaid view, the Supreme Court in the case of Manish Sisodia Vs. Directorate of Enforcement, 2024 INSC 595 , has again emphasized that the very well-settled principle of law that bail is not to be withheld as a punishment is not to be forgotten. It is high time that the Courts should recognize the principle that " bail is a rule and jail is an exception ".

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Learned A.G.A. could not bring forth any exceptional circumstances which would warrant denial of bail to the applicant.

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Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, the evidence on record, taking into consideration the fact that applicant is neither named in the FIR nor in the suicide note of the deceased person, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the Court is of the view that the applicant has made out a case for bail. The bail application is allowed .

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Let the applicant- Lalita Gangwar , who is involved in aforementioned case crime be released on bail on her furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned subject to following conditions. Further, before issuing the release order, the sureties be verified.

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(i) The applicant shall not tamper with evidence during trial.

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BAIL No. 39731 of 2025

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(ii) The applicant shall not pressurize/intimidate the prosecution witnesses.

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(iii) The applicant shall appear before the trial court on the date fixed.

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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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It is made clear that observations made in granting bail to the applicant shall not in any way affect the learned trial Judge in forming his independent opinion based on the testimony of the witnesses.

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(Krishan Pahal,J.)

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December 1, 2025

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Vikas Verma

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Digitally signed by :- VIKAS VERMA High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

Lalita Gangwar v. State of U.P.

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Lalita Gangwar v. State of U.P.

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