Arjun Lalji Gupta vs Union of India — Bombay HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

Arjun Lalji Gupta vs Union of India — Bombay HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Interim bail for 8 days from 3rd December 2025 to 9th December 2025 to attend the marriage ceremonies of the Applicant's sister, on furnishing cash surety of Rs.35,000/-, subject to conditions including daily attendance at Tarwa Police Station, Azamgarh (except 4th December 2025), disclosure of residence/mobile number and travel arrangements to the Investigating Officer, no contact with complainant/witnesses, co-operation with trial, and surrender before Arthur Road Jail authorities on 9th December 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Applicant, in custody since 2nd July 2023 with charges not framed and regular bail application unheard, should be released on interim bail to attend the marriage ceremony of his real sister solemnized at Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. +1 more

Court's answer

Interim bail granted to the Applicant for 8 days only, from 3rd December 2025 to 9th December 2025, to attend his sister's marriage ceremonies, on furnishing cash surety of Rs.35,000/-, subject to conditions (though 20 days had been sought).

Ratio / Principle

Grounds for the grant: the Applicant is in custody from 2nd July 2023, charges are not framed, his regular bail application is yet to be heard, he is the only brother of the bride, the prosecution's evidence is documentary in nature and he is not likely to tamper with it during the short liberty, and the marriage date is not seriously disputed by the prosecution.

Key takeaways

Release made subject to conditions: daily attendance and marking at Tarwa Police Station, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh (except 4th December 2025, the wedding day); surrender to the Jail Authorities of Arthur Road Jail on 9th December 2025 at 5:00 p.m. without fail; no tampering with or influencing/contacting the complainant or witnesses; disclosure of U.P. residence, mobile number and full travel arrangements to the Investigating Officer; co-operation with the trial; any infraction shall entail cancellation of interim bail.ratio¶27

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bombay High Court (Dr. Neela Gokhale, J.), 2nd December 2025 — Interim Application No. 4398 of 2025 in Bail Application No. 687 of 2025, Arjun Lalji Gupta v. Union of India: The Applicant, in custody since 2nd July 2023 in a DRI matter with charges not framed and his regular bail application yet to be heard, sought 20 days' interim bail to attend the marriage of his real sister at Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The prosecution (SPP for DRI) objected, citing a Supreme Court concern over accused persons abusing liberty, alleged antecedents (two parcels allegedly received in the Applicant's name leading to two separate FIRs) and risk of absconding. Holding that the prosecution's evidence is documentary and unlikely to be tampered with during a short liberty, that the marriage date is not seriously disputed, and that the Applicant is the only brother, the Court granted interim bail for 8 days only (3rd to 9th December 2025) on cash surety of Rs.35,000/-, imposing conditions: daily attendance at Tarwa Police Station, Azamgarh (except 4th December 2025, the wedding day); intimation of U.P. residence, mobile number and complete travel arrangements to the Investigating Officer; no tampering with or contacting the complainant or witnesses; co-operation with the trial; and unconditional surrender to Arthur Road Jail authorities on 9th December 2025 at 5:00 p.m., any infraction entailing cancellation. The Interim Bail application was partly allowed and disposed of.