Arvindbhai @ Anno Naranbhai Chauhan vs State Of Gujarat

Dr.Ashokkumar C. Joshi, J

This application is filed by the applicant â€" accused under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enlarging the applicant on Regular

Bail in connection with II- C. R. No. 184 of 2019 registered with Vartej Police Station, District: Bhavnagar for the offences punishable under Sections

8(B)(C), 20(A)(B) of the N. D. P. S. Act.

Heard learned advocate Mr. Mrudul Barot for the applicant and learned APP Mr. L. B. Dabhi for the respondent - State through Video

Conference.

Submissions of the Parties:

The learned advocate for the applicant - accused has submitted that the applicant - accused is an innocent person and falsely implicated in the

offence in question. It is submitted that it is not a case where commercial quantity of contraband was found. Further, the applicant has nothing to do

with the said contraband and only, since the applicant was found sitting on a land, which is the ancestral property, he is arraigned, otherwise, the

applicant has no antecedents. Further, the investigation in the case is over and charge sheet is already filed and hence, there is no possibility of

tampering and hampering with the evidence. Further, the applicant has family roots in the society and therefore, the applicant is not likely to flee away

from justice. That the applicant will abide by whatever conditions imposed by the Court. The learned advocate for the applicant has further

vehemently submitted that there is no direct involvement of the applicant - accused in the present case so far as allegation is concerned. It is,

therefore, prayed that discretion may kindly be exercised and grant bail to the applicant â€" accused.

3.1 In support, the learned advocate for the applicant has placed reliance upon a decision of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Vijaysinh

Chandubha Jadeja Vs. State of Gujarat reported in 2010 (0) AIJEL-SC-49070.

Per contra, learned APP has vehemently argued that the applicant has antecedents. Further, from the charge sheet papers, prima facie case is

made out against the present applicant. Therefore, it is urged that discretion may not be exercised and ultimately, the learned APP has opposed the

grant of bail looking to the nature and gravity of offence, involvement of the applicant - accused. The learned APP has further submitted that if the

Court is inclined to grant bail then, in such case, strict conditions may be imposed to secure the presence of the applicant - accused.

Merits of the Case:

This court has considered the following aspects:

(a) the investigation is over and charge sheet is filed;

(b) even if there is prima facie case, the applicant has no antecedents;

(c) embargo of section 37 of the NDPS Act does not apply;

(d) further as per the catena of decisions of Hon’ble Apex Court, there are mainly three factors which are required to be considered by this Court

i.e. prima facie case, availability of applicant - accused at the time of trial and tampering and hampering with the witnesses by the accused;

(e) that the learned advocate for the applicant has submitted that the applicant - accused is not likely to flee away;

(f) that the applicant - accused is in custody since 21.09.2019;

(g) the law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra v. C.B.I. Reported in (2012) 1 SCC 4,0 wherein it is held that bail is a

rule and jail is an exception and there should not be pre-trial punishment.

Having heard the learned advocates for the parties and perusing the record produced in this case as well as taking into consideration the facts of

the case, nature of allegations, gravity of accusation, availability of the applicant - accused at the time of trial etc. and the role attributed to the present

applicant - accused, the present application deserves to be allowed and accordingly stands allowed. Applicant - accused - ARVINDBHAI @ ANNO

NARANBHAI CHAUHAN is ordered to be released on regular bail in connection with above-referred FIR, on executing a personal bond of

Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five thousand only) with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court, subject to the following

conditions that the applicant shall:

(a) not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the fact of the case so as to dissuade him from

disclosing such facts to the Court or any Police Officer or tamper with the evidence;

(b) maintain law and order and not to indulge in any criminal activities;

(c) furnish the documentary proof of complete, correct and present address of his residence to the Investigating Officer and to the trial Court at the

time of executing the bond and shall not change his residence without prior permission of the trial Court;

(d) provide his contact numbers as well as the contact numbers of the sureties before the trial Court. In case of change in such numbers inform in

writing immediately to the trial Court;

(e) file an affidavit stating his immovable properties whether self acquired or ancestral with description, location and present value of such properties

before the trial Court, if any;

(f) not leave India without prior permission of the trial Court;

(g) surrender passport, if any, before the trial Court within a week. If he does not possess passport, he shall file an affidavit to that effect;

(h) mark presence before the concerned police station once in a month between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for a period of one year or till the trial is

over, whichever is earlier;

(i) shall maintain all the rules and regulations framed by the Municipality regarding contemporary status of corona virus/Covid-19, State Government or

by any competent authority, including social distancing.

6.1 Bail bond to be executed before the trial Court having jurisdiction to try the case. It would be open for the trial Court concerned to give time to

furnish the solvency certificate, if prayed for.

6.2 If breach of any of the above conditions is committed, the trial Court concerned will be free to issue warrant or take appropriate action according

to law. The Authorities shall release the applicant forthwith only if the applicant is not required in connection with any other offence for the time being.

Rule is made absolute accordingly. Direct service is permitted through fax / e-mail / any other electronic mode.

7.1 The Registry shall communicate this order by fax / e-mail to the concerned Court / authority.