Allowed

Ajaybhai Ganpatbhai Patni (Devipujak) v. State of Gujarat

Gujarat HC8 Sept 2026CR.MA/20855/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Gujarat High Court granted regular bail to the applicant, a lawyer, in a kidnapping and ransom case where the investigation was complete, no life sentence was involved, and no recovery was required, relying on bail jurisprudence and parity principles.

What did the court decide?

Applicant released on regular bail on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with one surety of the like amount, subject to standard conditions.

Ajaybhai Ganpatbhai Patni (Devipujak) Vs State of Gujarat — Bail and Remand | Gujarat HC (2026)

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R/CR.MA/20855/2026 (GJHC240673192026) ORDER DATED: 08/09/2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

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R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER CHARGESHEET) NO. 20855 of 2026

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AJAYBHAI GANPATBHAI PATNI (DEVIPUJAK)

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Versus

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STATE OF GUJARAT

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Appearance:

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MR KEVAL G BRAHMBHATT (BAROT)(9900) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MR HARDIK MEHTA, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1

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CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR

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Date : 08/09/2026 ORDER

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[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State.

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[2.0] The present application is filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11195024260480 of 2026 registered with Gadh Police Station, Banaskantha, for the offences under Sections 308(5), 115(2), 137(2), 351(3), 296(b) and 61(1) of BNS.

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[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the offence. Investigation is over and chargesheet has been filed. Nothing is required to be recovered or discovered. The applicant has no past antecedent. He therefore submits that, considering the nature of the offence, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable conditions.

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[4.0] Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State has opposed the present application and requested to dismiss the present application for regular bail on the ground that the applicant is very much involved in the present offence and considering the gravity of offence, no case is made out to entertain present bail application. Therefore, present application does

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Page 1 of 4

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R/CR.MA/20855/2026 (GJHC240673192026) ORDER DATED: 08/09/2026

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not deserve consideration.

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[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the accused in the alleged offence, the jurisdiction to grant bail has to be exercised on the basis of the well settled principles having regard to the facts and circumstances of each case and the following factors are to be taken into consideration while considering an application for bail: (i) the nature of accusation and the severity of the punishment and the nature of the materials relied upon by the prosecution; (ii) reasonable apprehension of tampering with the witnesses and threat to the complainant or the witnesses; (iii) reasonable possibility of securing the presence of the accused at the time of trial or the likelihood of his abscondence; (iv) character behaviour and standing of the accused and the circumstances which are peculiar to the accused; (v) larger interest of the public or the State and similar other considerations are required to be considered.

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[6.0] I have heard the learned advocates appearing on behalf of the respective parties and perused the investigation papers. Following aspects have been considered:

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(1) Investigation is over and charge-sheet is filed;

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(2) Applicant is behind the bar since 10.06.2026;

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(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant;

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(4) None of the offence alleged is punishable with life sentence or death penalty;

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(5) Allegation against the applicant is that, in company of coaccused Vijaylaxmi @ Kiran, the applicant had lured the complainant and offered to meet the complainant at Palanpur and thereafter, in aid of co-accused, kidnapped the complainant and demanded ransom of Rs.54,000/- and except this applicant has not played any role;

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(6) No past antecedent;

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Page 2 of 4

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R/CR.MA/20855/2026 (GJHC240673192026) ORDER DATED: 08/09/2026

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(7) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take its own time;

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(8) Co-accused Vijaylaxmi @ Kiran, who is similarly situated, is enlarged on regular bail and therefore, on the ground of parity also ( Rameshbhai Batubhai Dhabi Vs. State of Gujarat reported in 2011 (3) GLR 1999 ) , present application deserves consideration.

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[7.0] This Court has also taken into consideration the law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra vs. Central Bureau of Investigation reported in [2012]1 SCC 40 as well as in the case of Gudikanti Narasimhulu And Ors vs. Public Prosecutor, High Court of Andhra Pradesh reported in (1978)1 SCC 240 . Obviously, the conclusion of trial will take time and keeping the accused behind the bars is nothing but amounts to pre-trial conviction and therefore, considering the celebrated principle of bail jurisprudence is that “bail is a rule and jail is exception” as well as the concept of personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, present application deserves consideration.

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[8.0] In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of the allegations made against the applicant in the FIR, without discussing the evidence in detail, prima facie, this Court is of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicant on regular bail. Hence, the present application is allowed . The applicant is ordered to be released on regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11195024260480 of 2026 registered with Gadh Police Station, Banaskantha, on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twentyfive Thousand only) with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court and subject to the conditions that he/she shall;

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(a) not take undue advantage of liberty or misuse liberty;

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(b) not act in a manner injurious to the interest of the prosecution & shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation and shall not

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Page 3 of 4

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R/CR.MA/20855/2026 (GJHC240673192026) ORDER DATED: 08/09/2026

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to play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to be collected by the police;

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(d) not leave the State of Gujarat without prior permission of the Trial Court concerned;

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(e) mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in every month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.;

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(f) furnish the Aadhaar card, email ID/present address of his residence to the Investigating Officer and also to the Court at the time of execution of the bond and shall not change the residence/contact number without prior permission of Trial Court;

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(g) not to indulge in any illegal activity failing which learned trial Court shall issue warrant and cancel the bail of the applicant.

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[9.0] The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in connection with any other offence for the time being. If breach of any of the above conditions is committed, the Sessions Judge concerned will be free to issue warrant or take appropriate action in the matter.

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[10.0] Bail bond to be executed before the lower Court having jurisdiction to try the case. It will be open for the concerned Court to delete, modify and/or relax any of the above conditions, in accordance with law.

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[11.0] At the trial, the trial Court shall not be influenced by the observations of preliminary nature qua the evidence at this stage made by this Court while enlarging the applicant on bail.

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[12.0] Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service is permitted.

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(HASMUKH D. SUTHAR, J.)

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Ajay

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Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge. Digitally signed by: AJAY CHANDRAN MENON(HC00939), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 08/09/2026 14:49:26

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Ajaybhai Ganpatbhai Patni (Devipujak) v. State of Gujarat

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Ajaybhai Ganpatbhai Patni (Devipujak) v. State of Gujarat

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