Created byFuzzy Cloud

High Court of Gujarat

DHANARAM HARJIRAM(BHAI) DUGER (JAT)versusSTATE OF GUJARAT

Disposal
38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH

Holding

The court held that, given the completed investigation, the nature of the offence, and the constitutional presumption of liberty, the applicant is entitled to regular bail.

Summary

The applicant, Dhanaram Harijam Duger, was arrested on 29 January 2026 in connection with a FIR (C.R. No. 11821025260116) alleging that he was the driver of a vehicle from which contraband liquor was seized, an offence punishable under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. After the investigation concluded, a chargesheet was filed and the applicant sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, claiming innocence and no prior record. The State opposed, alleging that the applicant was the kingpin and had conscious possession of the liquor. The Court examined the statutory criteria for bail, the principles laid down in Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor, and emphasized the presumption of liberty under Article 21, noting that continued detention would amount to a pre‑trial conviction. Considering the nature of the offence, the completed investigation, and the applicant’s personal circumstances, the Court held that bail was appropriate. Accordingly, the applicant was released on regular bail upon execution of a personal bond of Rs 25,000 with a surety and subject to several conditions.

Issues considered

  • Whether bail can be granted after filing of a chargesheet under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita for an offence under the Gujarat Prohibition Act
  • Whether the nature of the alleged offence and the applicant’s alleged role justify denial of bail
  • Application of the principles from Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor to bail jurisprudence
  • Whether the applicant’s personal liberty under Article 21 outweighs the State’s interest in detention

Subjects

regular bailchargesheetGujarat Prohibition ActSection 483 BNSSArticle 21pre‑trial detentionbail jurisprudence

Judgment

    R/CR.MA/10268/2026                              ORDER DATED: 01/05/2026




            IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

    R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER
                CHARGESHEET) NO. 10268 of 2026

==========================================================
                  DHANARAM HARJIRAM(BHAI) DUGER (JAT)
                                Versus
                          STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR. KISHAN H DAIYA(6929) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR ROHAN RAVAL, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
  CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR

                              Date : 01/05/2026

                                   ORDER


[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State.

[2.0] The present application is filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in
connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11821025260116 of 2026 registered
with Katwara Police Station, Dist. Dahod, for the offence under the
provisions of Gujarat Prohibition Act.

[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that
applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the offence.
Investigation is over and chargesheet has been filed. He has no past
antecedent. Allegation against the applicant is that, he was driver of the
vehicle from which contraband liquor was found. He therefore submits that,
considering the nature of the offence, the applicant may be enlarged on
regular bail by imposing suitable conditions.

[4.0] Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State has
opposed the present application and submitted that, the applicant is a
kingpin of the offence and from his conscious possession, muddamal liquor
was recovered. Considering the conduct of the applicant, application does
not deserve any consideration.


                                   Page 1 of 4
      R/CR.MA/10268/2026                                  ORDER DATED: 01/05/2026




[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the
accused in the alleged offence, the jurisdiction to grant bail has to be
exercised on the basis of the well settled principles having regard to the
facts and circumstances of each case and the following factors are to be
taken into consideration while considering an application for bail: (i) the
nature of accusation and the severity of the punishment and the nature of
the materials relied upon by the prosecution; (ii) reasonable apprehension
of tampering with the witnesses and threat to the complainant or the
witnesses; (iii) reasonable possibility of securing the presence of the
accused at the time of trial or the likelihood of his abscondence; (iv)
character behaviour and standing of the accused and the circumstances
which are peculiar to the accused; (v) larger interest of the public or the
State and similar other considerations are required to be considered.


[6.0] I have heard the learned advocates appearing on behalf of the
respective parties and perused the investigation papers. Following aspects
have been considered:


(1)       Investigation is over and chargesheet has been filed;
(2)       Applicant is behind the bar since 29.01.2026;
(3)       There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant;
(4)       There is no possibility to conclude the trial in near future.
(5)        Offence is triable by JMFC Court.


[7.0] This Court has also taken into consideration the law laid down by the
Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra vs. Central Bureau of
Investigation reported in [2012]1 SCC 40 as well as in the case of
Gudikanti Narasimhulu And Ors vs. Public Prosecutor, High Court of
Andhra Pradesh reported in (1978)1 SCC 240. Obviously, the conclusion of
trial will take time and keeping the accused behind the bars is nothing but
amounts to pre-trial conviction and therefore, considering the celebrated


                                      Page 2 of 4
    R/CR.MA/10268/2026                                    ORDER DATED: 01/05/2026




principle of bail jurisprudence is that “bail is a rule and jail is exception” as
well as the concept of personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the
Constitution of India, present application deserves consideration.

[8.0] In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature
of the allegations made against the applicant in the FIR, 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.
Hence, the present application is allowed. The applicant is ordered to be
released on regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.
11821025260116 of 2026 registered with Katwara Police Station, Dist.
Dahod on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five
Thousand only) with one local 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 &
             shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation and shall
             not to play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to be
             collected by the police;
     (c)     surrender passport, if any, to the Trial Court within a week;
     (d)    not to leave India without prior permission of the Trial Court
            concerned;
     (e)    mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a
            month for a period of six months;
     (f)    furnish the Aadhar card, email ID/present address of his
            residence to the Investigating Officer and also to the Court at
            the time of execution of the bond and shall not change the
            residence/contact number without prior permission of Trial
            Court;
     (g)    if the applicant is found to be indulged in any illegal activities in
            future, the trial Court concerned will be free to issue warrant and
            cancel the bail granted to the applicant.



                                     Page 3 of 4
     R/CR.MA/10268/2026                                                        ORDER DATED: 01/05/2026




[9.0] 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 Judge concerned will be free to
issue warrant or take appropriate action in the matter.

[10.0] 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.

[11.0] At the trial, the trial Court shall not be influenced by the observations
of preliminary nature qua the evidence at this stage made by this Court
while enlarging the applicant on bail.

[12.0] Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent.                                  Direct service is
permitted today.




                                                                        (HASMUKH D. SUTHAR,J)

SUCHIT




Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: PATEL SUCHIT JAYESHBHAI(HC01083), Private Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 01/05/2026 18:18:30


                                                  Page 4 of 4


Search Indian case law

Ask in plain English, not just keywords. 25,000 AI words free, no card.

Try "regular bail"Sign in to search

For a digitally signed copy suitable for filing, refer to the court's own website. Only the court can issue one.