SHAKTISINH JAGDISHSINH RANAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court held that bail should be granted in the present case and ordered the applicant released on regular bail with conditions.
Summary
The applicant, Shaktisinh Jagdishsinh Rana, sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for alleged offences under Sections 25(1)(a) and 25(1‑B)(a) of the Arms Act, claiming innocence and no prior record. The State opposed bail, arguing the seriousness of the offence, the pending chargesheet, and risk of flight or evidence tampering. The Court examined the completed investigation, the non‑capital nature of the offences, the applicant’s lack of antecedents, and the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception, citing Supreme Court precedents. Finding no substantial reason to deny liberty and noting that continued detention would amount to a pre‑trial conviction, the Court granted regular bail on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with a surety and imposed standard conditions. The order also directed that any breach of conditions could lead to cancellation of bail.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail can be granted under Section 483 BNSS for offences under the Arms Act when investigation is substantially complete and the offence does not attract life imprisonment or death penalty.
- Whether the applicant poses a risk of absconding, tampering with evidence, or influencing witnesses.
- Whether the conditions imposed on bail are appropriate and sufficient to safeguard the trial process.
Legislation cited
- Arms Acts. 25(1)(a), s. 25(1-B)(a)
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023s. 483
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/13405/2026 ORDER DATED: 18/06/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
CHARGESHEET) NO. 13405 of 2026
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SHAKTISINH JAGDISHSINH RANA
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
ADITYA A GUPTA(7875) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MS SHRUTI PATHAK, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 18/06/2026
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 Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for
regular bail in connection with FIR being
C.R.No.11211031260204 of 2026 registered with Limbadi
Police Station, Surendranagar, for the offences under Sections
25(1)(a), 25(1-B)(a) of the Arms Act.
[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant
submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely
implicated in the offence. Allegation against the present
applicant is that one arm is found from the residence of the
present applicant along with the four live cartridges. The
applicant is arrested on 26/05/2026. Substantial part of
investigation is over. Nothing is required to be recovered or
discovered. The applicant has no past antecedent. He therefore
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R/CR.MA/13405/2026 ORDER DATED: 18/06/2026
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 requested to dismiss the
present application for regular bail on the ground that the
applicant is very much involved in the present offence and
considering the gravity of offence, no case is made out to entertain
present bail application. Chargesheet is yet to be filed. Further, if
he is released on bail, possibility cannot be ruled out that the
applicant will flee from justice and tamper with the evidence.
Therefore, present application does not deserve consideration.
[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
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R/CR.MA/13405/2026 ORDER DATED: 18/06/2026
aspects have been considered:
(1) Substantial part of investigation is over;
(2) None of the offence alleged is punishable with life
sentence or death penalty;
(3) Applicant is behind the bar since 26/05/2026;
(4) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the
applicant;
(5) No past antecedent.
(6) Offence is triable by JMFC Court.
(7) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will
take its own time.
(8) Prosecution has failed to point out the
circumstances to continue or prolong his detention.
[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 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
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R/CR.MA/13405/2026 ORDER DATED: 18/06/2026
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.11211031260204 of 2026 registered with Limbadi
Police Station, Surendranagar, on executing a personal 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/she 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 leave the 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 Aadhaar 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) not to indulge in any illegal activity failing which learned
trial Court shall issue warrant and cancel the bail of the
applicant.
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R/CR.MA/13405/2026 ORDER DATED: 18/06/2026
[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.
(HASMUKH D. SUTHAR,J)
ILA
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: ILA PRAFULKUMAR PATEL(HC00194), Principal Pvt Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 18/06/2026 15:35:46
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