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High Court of Gujarat

ARUNSING @JINTU S/O SHOBHASING RAMSING RAJPUTversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

Disposal
38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH

Holding

The Court held that the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS.

Summary

The High Court of Gujarat considered a regular bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by Arjunsing @ Jintu Rajput, who was alleged to have been a cleaner on a truck carrying contraband liquor, an offence punishable under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. The applicant claimed innocence and argued that the investigation was nearly complete, while the State highlighted his role in transporting the liquor and past antecedents. The Court examined established bail principles, including the nature of the accusation, risk of witness tampering, likelihood of absconding, and the applicant's character, and referred to Supreme Court precedents in Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor. Finding that continued detention would amount to a pre‑trial conviction and that bail is the rule, the Court deemed the case fit for regular bail. Accordingly, the applicant was released on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with a local surety and a series of conditions, and the trial court was directed to enforce the bond.

Issues considered

  • Whether regular bail should be granted under Section 483 BNSS for an offence under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
  • Whether the applicant's role as a cleaner and his antecedents justify denial of bail.
  • Whether the risk of tampering with evidence or absconding warrants continued detention.

Subjects

regular bailSection 483 BNSSGujarat Prohibition Actpre‑trial detentionpersonal libertyArticle 21bail jurisprudence

Judgment

    R/CR.MA/11007/2026                               ORDER DATED: 07/05/2026




            IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

   R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
               CHARGESHEET) NO. 11007 of 2026
==========================================================
        ARJUNSING @JINTU S/O SHOBHASING RAMSING RAJPUT
                              Versus
                       STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR ADIL R MIRZA(2488) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MS MONALI BHATT, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
  CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR

                                Date : 07/05/2026

                             ORDER
[1.0] Leave to add/amend. 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. 11200011260748 of 2026 registered
with Valsad Rural Police Station, Valsad, 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.
Substantial part of investigation is over. He was cleaner of the truck from
which contraband liquor was found. He therefore submits that, considering
the nature of the offence, the applicants 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 was
cleaner and along with driver, he was transported the liquor. The applicant
has also past antecedents. Considering the conduct of the applicant,
application does not deserve any consideration.

[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the


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      R/CR.MA/11007/2026                                  ORDER DATED: 07/05/2026




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 almost over;
(2)       Applicant is behind the bar since 08.04.2026;
(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.
(6)         The applicant was cleaner of the vehicle from which liquor was
         found.


[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
principle of bail jurisprudence is that “bail is a rule and jail is exception” as


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    R/CR.MA/11007/2026                                    ORDER DATED: 07/05/2026




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.
11200011260748 of 2026 registered with Valsad Rural Police Station,
Valsad 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 State of Gujarat without prior permission of the Trial
            Court concerned;
     (e)    mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a
            week till filing of the chargesheet and after filing of the
            chargesheet, 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


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     R/CR.MA/11007/2026                                                       ORDER DATED: 07/05/2026




               cancel the bail granted to the applicant.
      (h)      Not to enter into Valsad District for a period of six months
               except to mark presence before the concerned Police Station
               and to attend the court proceedings at the concerned court.

[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.




                                                                        (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 07/05/2026 15:34:13


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