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Madhya Pradesh High Court · body

2020 DIGILAW 559 (MP)

Karan v. State Of M. P.

2020-05-13

RAJEEV KUMAR SHRIVASTAVA

body2020
JUDGMENT 1. This is the first bail application u/S.439 Cr.P.C filed by the applicant for grant of bail. 2. Applicant has been arrested on 18/2/2020 by Police Station Dehat Distt. Ashoknagar (M.P.) in connection with Crime No. 61/2020 registered for offence under Section 34 (2) of Excise Act. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant has submitted that the allegation of recovery of 56 litres of country-made liquor from the possession of the applicant is false. He has not committed any offence. He is a young boy aged about 23 years and if he is kept in jail for long then his future career may get spoiled. Therefore, prays for grant of bail. He further undertakes to abide by all the terms and conditions of guidance, circulars and directions issued by Central Government, State Government as well as Local Administration regarding measures in respect of COVID-19 Pandemic and maintain hygiene in the vicinity while keeping physical distancing. 4. Counsel for the State opposed the prayer and has submitted that the liquor seized from the possession of the applicant is unfit for human consumption. He has further submitted that one more criminal case is registered against the present applicant. Hence, prayed for rejection of the bail application. 5. Heard learned counsel for the parties at length through VC and considered the arguments advanced by them and perused the available record. 6. 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 Level 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. 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 under trial for offences for which 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." 7. In view of the aforesaid and considering the facts and circumstances of the present case, without commenting upon the merits of the case, the application is allowed and it is hereby directed that the applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing personal bond of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with one solvent surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate of the concerned district. Chief Judicial Magistrate shall ensure that after furnishing bail, the bail papers are sent to the Court concerned. 8. In view of COVID-19 pandemic, the Jail Authorities are directed that before releasing the applicant, his Corona Virus test shall be conducted and if she is found negative, then the concerned local administration shall make necessary arrangements for sending the applicant to his house, and if he is found positive then the applicant shall be immediately sent to concerning hospital for her/his treatment as per medical norms. If the applicant is fit for release and if he is in a position to make his personal arrangements, then he shall be released only after taking due travel permission from local administration. 9. After release, 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 combating the 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 sent him to the same jail from where he was released. 10. This order will remain operative subject to compliance of the following conditions by the applicant:-- 1. The applicant will comply with all the terms and conditions of the bond executed by her; 2. The applicant will cooperate in the investigation/trial, as the case may be; 3. The applicant will not indulge herself/himself in extending inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to the Police Officer, as the case may be; 4. The applicant shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he/she is accused; 5. The applicant will not move in the vicinity of complainant party and applicant will not seek unnecessary adjournments during the trial; 6. The applicant will not leave India without previous permission of the trial Court/Investigating Officer, as the case may be; and 7. The applicant will inform the SHO of concerned police station about him/his residential address in the said area and it would be the duty of the Public Prosecutor to send E-copy of this order to SHO of concerned police station for information. 11. Application stands allowed and disposed of. 12. E- copy o f this order be sent to the trial Court concerned for compliance, if possible for the office of this Court. Certified copy/ e-copy as per rules/directions.