Allahabad High Court
Surendra Nath Pandey vs State Of U.P. And Another on 11 May, 2023
Bench: Nalin Kumar Srivastava
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
?Neutral Citation No. - 2023:AHC:102157
Court No. - 84
Case :- CRIMINAL MISC ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION U/S 438 CR.P.C. No. - 4371 of 2023
Applicant :- Surendra Nath Pandey
Opposite Party :- State of U.P. and Another
Counsel for Applicant :- Nagendra Kumar Mishra,Amit Kumar Mishra
Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A.,Mohammad Mustafa
Hon'ble Nalin Kumar Srivastava,J.
1. Present Anticipatory Bail Application has been filed with the prayer to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant -Surendra Nath Pandey in Case Crime No. 0064 of 2021 under Sections 147, 323, 325, 504, 506, 308, 188, 269, 270 I.P.C. & Section 3 Epidemic Act, 1897 and Section 51 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, Police Station- Dumariyaganj, District- Siddharth Nagar.
2. Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned counsel for the informant as well as the learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record.
3. It has been argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that applicant is innocent and he has apprehension of his arrest in the above-mentioned case, whereas there is no credible evidence against him. Allegations levelled against the applicant are false. The investigation of the case has been completed and charge-sheet has been filed and cognizance has been taken by the Court concerned. It has been submitted that in case applicant is granted anticipatory bail, he shall not misuse the liberty of bail and would obey all conditions of bail.
4. Learned A.G.A. and learned counsel for the informant opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail.
5. In this matter, it reveals that after completion of investigation, charge sheet has been submitted and cognizance has also been taken by the Court concerned. Offences levelled against the applicant are punishable with the imprisonment upto seven years. During course of investigation, the applicant has cooperated with the Investigating Officer. In Sushila Aggarwal and others vs. State (NCT of Delhi) and another, (2020) 5 SCC 1, the Hon'ble Apex Court has settled the controversy finally by holding the anticipatory bail need not be of limited duration invariably. In appropriate case, it can continue upto conclusion of trial.
6. It has been further held therein that anticipatory bail granted can, depending on the conduct and behavior of the accused, continue after filing of the charge sheet till end of trial.
7. It has been further held by the Hon'ble Apex Court that while considering an application for grant of anticipatory bail, the court has to consider the nature of the offence, the role of the person, the likelihood of his influencing the course of investigation, or tampering with evidence including intimidating witnesses, llikelihood of fleeing justice, such as leaving the country, etc. It has further been held that Courts ought to be generally guided by considerations such as the nature and gravity of the offences, the role attributed to the applicant, and the facts of the case, while considering whether to grant anticipatory bail, or refuse it. Whether to grant or not is a matter of discretion.
8. Hence, considering the settled principles of law regarding anticipatory bail, submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, nature of accusation, role of applicants and all attending facts and circumstances of the case, without expressing any opinion of the merits of the case, in my view, it is not a fit case for anticipatory bail to the applicant. Prayer made in the application is refused.
9. However, it is observed that the bail application of the applicant, if moved, shall be considered and decided by the Court concerned in terms of the law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in Satender Kumar Antil vs. Central Bureau of Investigation and another, 2022 SCC OnLine SC 825.
10. On the basis of request of the learned counsel for the applicant, it is further directed that the Court concerned while considering the bail application of the applicant in the light of Satender Kumar Antil case (supra), shall pass an order strictly in compliance of the directions given in the aforesaid judgment by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in letter and spirit, particularly complying with the order dated 21.3.2023 of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the aforesaid matter.
11. The application stands disposed of accordingly.
Order Date :- 11.5.2023
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