[Cites 5, Cited by 0]
Gujarat High Court
Kalpeshbhai Mukeshbhai Chaudhari vs State Of Gujarat on 6 March, 2026
Author: Nikhil S. Kariel
Bench: Nikhil S. Kariel
NEUTRAL CITATION
R/CR.MA/5188/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/03/2026
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR SUCCESSIVE REGULAR BAIL -
AFTER CHARGESHEET) NO. 5188 of 2026
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KALPESHBHAI MUKESHBHAI CHAUDHARI
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
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Appearance:
MR. NILESHKUMAR MANJIBHAI VAGHASIA(11473) for the Applicant(s) No.
1
RAFIK LOKHANDWALA(5590) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR LB DABHI, ADDL. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR for the Respondent(s) No. 1
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIKHIL S. KARIEL
Date : 06/03/2026
ORAL ORDER
1. Heard learned advocate Mr.Rafik Lokhandwala
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. 11194022250012/2025 registered with A.C.B.
Police Station, Surat City for the offence punishable under
NEUTRAL CITATION
R/CR.MA/5188/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/03/2026
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Sections 7, 12, 13(1)(a), 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption
Act.
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
NEUTRAL CITATION
R/CR.MA/5188/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/03/2026
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aspects are considered:-
i. Allegation is of having sought for illegal gratification and
whereas, it would appear that while the demand is
attributed to the accused no.1, the recovery was from the
present applicant.
ii. The fact of the applicant being a contractual employee
and whereas, the contract having now been terminated by
the authorities, would allay any apprehension that the
applicant would influence witnesses and the charge-sheet
having been laid would allay any apprehension that the
applicant would influence the investigation.
iii. The fact of the co-accused being government servants
having been considered by this Court for enlargement on
regular bail.
iv. The fact of the applicant being in custody since
20.12.2025 and charge-sheet having been laid.
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.
NEUTRAL CITATION
R/CR.MA/5188/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/03/2026
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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.
registered as C.R. No. 11194022250012/2025 registered with
A.C.B. Police Station, Surat City, on executing a bond of
Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with one
surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court
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
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R/CR.MA/5188/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/03/2026
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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.
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 observations of this Court which are of
preliminary nature made at this stage, only for the purpose of
considering the application of the applicant for being released
on regular bail.
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12. The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. Rule is
made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service is
permitted.
(NIKHIL S. KARIEL,J)
Bhoomi
