[Cites 13, Cited by 0]

Gujarat High Court

Vanrajsinh Laxmansinh Sodha vs State Of Gujarat on 2 February, 2026

Author: Nikhil S. Kariel

Bench: Nikhil S. Kariel

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                           R/CR.MA/26331/2025                                 ORDER DATED: 02/02/2026

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                                   IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

                           R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER
                                       CHARGESHEET) NO. 26331 of 2025

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                                                VANRAJSINH LAXMANSINH SODHA
                                                            Versus
                                                     STATE OF GUJARAT
                     ==========================================================
                     Appearance:
                     MR NK MAJMUDAR(430) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
                     MR. ROHAN N MAJMUDAR(14000) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
                     MR L B DABHI, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
                     ==========================================================
                          CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIKHIL S. KARIEL

                                                         Date : 02/02/2026
                                                          ORAL ORDER

1. Heard learned Advocate Mr. N.K. Majmudar appearing on behalf

of the applicant and learned Additional Public Prosecutor Mr. L.B. Dabhi

appearing on behalf of the respondent-State.

2. Rule. Learned APP waives service of rule on behalf of the

respondent-State.

3. The applicant has filed this application under Section 483 of the

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for enlarging the applicant on

Regular Bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11201005250003 of

2025 registered with C.I.D. Crime Police Station, Vadodara Zone,

Vadodara City, for the offence punishable under Sections 406, 409, 420,

467, 468, 471, 474, 114 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and Sections

13(1)(a), 13(1)(b), 13(2) and 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.






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                          R/CR.MA/26331/2025                                  ORDER DATED: 02/02/2026

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4. Learned advocate for the applicant would submit that considering

the role attributed to the applicant, and nature of the allegation levelled,

the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail. It is further submitted that

since the charge-sheet is filed, no useful purpose would be served by

keeping the applicant in jail for indefinite period. It is further contended

that the applicant is ready and willing to abide by all the conditions that

may be imposed by this Court if released on bail.

5. As against the same, learned Additional Public Prosecutor

appearing for the respondent - State has vehemently objected to the grant

of regular bail. Learned APP has submitted that looking to the nature of

offence and the role attributed to the present applicant as coming out from

the charge-sheet, this Court may not exercise the discretion in favour of

the applicant and the application may be dismissed.

6. I have heard learned advocates appearing on behalf of the

respective parties and perused the papers. Following aspects are

considered:-

i. The allegation against the present applicant was that he being a

contractual employee, working with the respondent, was responsible

for preparing the bills etc. as regards the tender given for ensuring for

a scheme "Nal Se Jal Yojna", and whereas the allegation being that

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R/CR.MA/26331/2025 ORDER DATED: 02/02/2026

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inspite of proper work not being done, bills/inflated bills having been

sent by the applicant to the higher authority, which had resulted in loss

to the State Government.

ii. The charge-sheet reflecting that an amount of Rs. 3,71,501/-

having been deposited in the account of the present applicant and

whereas it would appear in this regard that learned Advocate for the

applicant, under instructions, would submit that the applicant without

prejudice to his rights and contentions is ready deposit the said amount

of Rs. 3,71,501/- as pre-condition of being released on bail with the

learned Trial Court, more particularly the applicant having brought a

demand draft for the said amount.

iii. Furthermore, insofar as the submissions made by learned APP that

the amount received by the present applicant may have been on the

much higher side, considering the total value of the tender was around

15,00,00,000/-, learned Advocate Mr. Majumudar would submit that

the applicant without prejudice to his rights and contentions is ready to

deposit a further amount of Rs. 3,71,501/- with the learned Trial

Court, within a period of two months after his release, and an

undertaking to such will be filed by the applicant within a period of

one week from the date of his release.







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                          R/CR.MA/26331/2025                                  ORDER DATED: 02/02/2026

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iv. The applicant being in custody since 08.09.2025 and the charge-

sheet having been filed by the Investigating Officer.

This Court has taken into consideration the law laid down by the

Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra v. Central Bureau

of Investigation reported in [2012] 1 SCC 40.

7. In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the

nature of the allegations made against the applicant in the First

Information Report, 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.

8. Hence, the present application is allowed. The applicant is ordered

to be released on bail in connection with F.I.R. being C.R. No.

11201005250003 of 2025 registered with C.I.D. Crime Police Station,

Vadodara Zone, Vadodara City, on depositing an amount of Rs.

3,71,501/- (Rupees Three Lakhs Seventy One Thousand Five Hundred

and One Only) as a pre-condition for release on bail with the learned

Trial Court and on executing a bond of Rs.100,000/- (Rupees One Lakh

only) with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial

Court and whereas the remaining amount of Rs.3,71,501/- (Rupees Three

Lakhs Seventy One Thousand Five Hundred and One Only) shall be

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deposited with the Trial Court within a period of two months from the

date of his release and subject to the conditions that he shall;

[a] not take undue advantage of liberty or misuse liberty;

[b] not act in a manner injurious to the interest of the prosecution;

[c] surrender passport, if any, to the lower court within a week;

[d] not leave the State of Gujarat without prior permission of the

Sessions Court concerned;

[e] furnish the present address of residence to the I.O. and also to the

Court at the time of execution of the bond and shall not change the

residence without prior intimation to the I.O.;

[f] mark presence once a month for a period of six months before the

concerned police station.

[g] file an undertaking, within a period of one week of his release,

before the learned Trial Court as regards deposit of the remaining

amount of Rs. 3,71,501/- (Rupees Three Lakhs Seventy One

Thousand Five Hundred and One Only) within a period of two months

from the date of his release. In case the said amount is not deposited

within the stipulated time limit, it would be open for the learned Trial

Court to take appropriate action in accordance with law.







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                           R/CR.MA/26331/2025                                  ORDER DATED: 02/02/2026

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[h] upon the amount being deposited, the same shall be invested in a

fixed deposit and whereas, the learned Trial Court shall decide

appropriately as regards apportionment/ disbursement of the said

amount at the time of final outcome of the trial.

9. 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 Court concerned will

be free to take appropriate action in the matter.

10. 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.

11. At the stage of trial, the trial court shall not be influenced by any