Sonu vs The State Of Mp.
2021 Latest Caselaw 5839 MP

THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC-45797-2021 Sonu Vs. State of MP and anr.

Gwalior, Dated: 22-09-2021

Shri Rohit Shrivastava, Counsel for the applicant.

Shri B.S. Gaur, Counsel for the State.

Case Diary is available.

This third application under Section 439 of CrPC has been

filed for grant of bail. Second application was dismissed as

withdrawn by order dated 07.07.2021 passed in M.Cr.C.

No.29794/2021.

The applicant has been arrested on 23.12.2020 in connection

with Crime No.647/2020 registered at Police Station Kotwali Distt.

Ashoknagar for the offence punishable under Sections 363, 366A,

376(2)(N), 376(2)(i), 34 of IPC and Section 3/4, 5(L)/6 of POCSO

Act.

It is submitted by the counsel for the applicant that although

the evidence of the prosecutrix was already recorded on 13.02.2021,

i.e., much prior to the rejection of previous bail application, but he is

in jail from 23.12.2020, i.e., more than nine months. The allegations

against the applicant are that he had kidnapped the prosecutrix and

thereafter handed over to the co-accused Raju, with whom the

prosecutrix has resided as husband and wife. There is no allegation of

rape against the applicant and the Trial is likely to take sufficiently

long time and there is no possibility of his absconding or tampering

THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC-45797-2021 Sonu Vs. State of MP and anr.

with the prosecution case.

Per contra, the application is vehemently opposed by the

counsel for the State. However, it is fairly conceded that there is no

allegation of rape against the applicant.

Considered the submissions made by the Counsel for the

parties.

The Supreme Court by order dated 23-3-2020 passed in the

case of IN RE : CONTAGION OF COVID 19 VIRUS IN

PRISONS in SUO MOTU W.P. (C) No. 1/2020 has directed all the

States to constitute a High Powered Committee to consider the

release of prisoners in order to decongest the prisons. The Supreme

Court has observed as under :

"The issue of overcrowding of prisons is a matter of serious concern particularly in the present context of the pandemic of Corona Virus (COVID - 19).

Having regard to the provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, it has become imperative to ensure that the spread of the Corona Virus within the prisons is controlled. We direct that each State/Union Territory shall constitute a High Powered Committee comprising of (i) Chairman of the State Legal Services Committee, (ii) the Principal Secretary (Home/Prison) by whatever designation is known as, (ii) Director General of Prison(s), to determine which class of prisoners can be released on parole or an interim bail for such period as may be thought appropriate. For instance, the State/Union Territory could consider the release of prisoners who have been convicted or are undertrial for offences for which

THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC-45797-2021 Sonu Vs. State of MP and anr.

prescribed punishment is up to 7 years or less, with or without fine and the prisoner has been convicted for a lesser number of years than the maximum.

It is made clear that we leave it open for the High Powered Committee to determine the category of prisoners who should be released as aforesaid, depending upon the nature of offence, the number of years to which he or she has been sentenced or the severity of the offence with which he/she is charged with and is facing trial or any other relevant factor, which the Committee may consider appropriate."

Considering the allegations, as well as considering the fact that

in view of second wave of Covid19 pandemic, it is also necessary to

decongest the jail, and without commenting on the merits of the case,

it is directed that the applicant be released on bail, on furnishing a

personal bond in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rs. One Lac) with one

surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Trial Court or

C.J.M. or Remand Magistrate (Whosoever is available). The

applicant shall also furnish an undertaking that he shall follow all the

instructions which may be issued by the Central Govt./State Govt. or

Local Administration (General or Specific) from time to time for

combating Covid19.

The Supreme Court in the case of IN RE : CONTAGION OF

COVID 19 VIRUS IN PRISONS by order dated 7-4-2020 has

directed as under :

In these circumstances, we consider it appropriate to direct that Union of India shall

THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC-45797-2021 Sonu Vs. State of MP and anr.

ensure that all the prisoners having been released by the States/Union Territories are not left stranded and they are provided transportation to reach their homes or given the option to stay in temporary shelter homes for the period of lockdown.

For this purpose, the Union of India may issue appropriate directions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 or any other law for the time being in force. We further direct that the States/Union Territories shall ensure through Directors General of Police to provide safe transit to the prisoners who have been released so that they may reach their homes. They shall also be given an option for staying in temporary shelter homes during the period of lockdown.

Accordingly, it is directed that before releasing the

applicant, the jail authorities shall get the applicant examined by

a competent Doctor and if the Doctor is of the opinion that his

Corona Virus test is necessary, then the same shall be conducted.

If the applicant is not found suspected of Covid19 infection or if

his test report is negative, then the concerned local

administration shall make necessary arrangements for sending

the applicant to his house as per the directions issued by the

Supreme Court in the case of IN RE : CONTAGION OF COVID

19 VIRUS IN PRISONS (Supra), and if he is found positive then

the applicant shall be immediately sent to concerning hospital for

his treatment as per medical norms. The applicant is further

directed to strictly follow all the instructions which may be issued

by the Central Govt./State Govt. or Local Administration for

THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC-45797-2021 Sonu Vs. State of MP and anr.

combating Covid19. If it is found that the applicant has violated

any of the instructions (whether general or specific) issued by the

Central Govt./State Govt. or Local Administration, then this

order shall automatically lose its effect, and the Local

Administration/Police Authorities shall immediately take him in

custody and would send him to the same jail from where he was

released. The applicant is further directed to supply a copy of

this bail order to the police station having jurisdiction over his

place of residence.

The other conditions of Section 437, 439 Cr.P.C. shall remain

the same.

This order shall remain in force, till the conclusion of Trial. In

case of bail jump, or violation of any of the condition(s) mentioned

above, this order shall automatically lose its effect.

In the light of the judgment passed by the Supreme Court in

the case of Aparna Bhat and others Vs. State of M.P. Passed on

18.03.2021 in Criminal Appeal No. 329/2021, the intimation

regarding grant of bail be sent to the complainant.

With aforesaid observations, this application is Allowed.

(G.S. Ahluwalia) Judge Abhi ABHISHEK CHATURVEDI 2021.09.22 17:27:51 +05'30'