VIRAMBHAI BHANUBHAI SABHAD (BHARVAD)versusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court held that regular bail should be granted to the applicant pending trial.
Summary
The applicant sought regular bail before the filing of a chargesheet under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in connection with an FIR alleging offences under Sections 109(1), 115(2), 296(b), 54 of the BNS and Section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act. The applicant claimed innocence, no prior record, and that the investigation was substantially complete, while the victim had recovered and the complainant (brother of the victim) filed an affidavit expressing no objection to bail. The State opposed bail, arguing the accused had assaulted the victim causing serious head injuries and that releasing him could disturb public tranquility. The Court examined the standard bail factors, noted the lack of risk of witness tampering, the applicant's clean antecedent, and the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception, citing Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor). Accordingly, the Court granted regular bail on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with a surety and imposed several conditions, directing the trial court to enforce them.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail can be granted before the filing of a chargesheet under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023.
- Whether the applicant's personal circumstances and the state of the investigation justify the grant of bail.
- Whether there is a reasonable risk of tampering with evidence or witnesses that would warrant denial of bail.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023s. 109(1), s. 115(2), s. 296(b), s. 483, s. 54
- Gujarat Police Acts. 135
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/15065/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/07/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
CHARGESHEET) NO. 15065 of 2026
==========================================================
VIRAMBHAI BHANUBHAI SABHAD (BHARVAD)
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR ASHISH M DAGLI(2203) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR HARDIK MEHTA, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 06/07/2026
ORDER
[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State.
Mr.D.H.Bharwad, learned counsel states that he has instructions to appear
for the complainant and waives Rule for the complainant.
[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. 11210065260631 of 2026 registered
with Utran Police Station, Surat, for the offences under Sections 109(1),
115(2), 296(b), and 54 of the BNS and Section 135 of the GP 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.
Substantial part of investigation is over. Nothing is required to be recovered
or discovered. The applicant has no past antecedent. He therefore submits
that, considering the nature of the offence, the applicant may be enlarged
on regular bail by imposing suitable conditions.
[3.1] Learned counsel appearing for the complainant has stated that
amicable settlement is arrived at due to elder members of the society and
he has no objection if the applicant is released on regular bail. Affidavit to
that effect is also produced on record. Affidavit is ordered to be taken on
record.
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R/CR.MA/15065/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/07/2026
[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 and co-accused have beaten
the victim and caused serious head injuries. Presently, the victim is not in a
condition to speak properly. If the applicant is released on bail, possibility
cannot be ruled out to breach public tranquility. 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 aspects
have been considered:
(1) Substantial part of investigation is over;
(2) Applicant is behind the bar since 22.05.2026;
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the
applicant;
(4) No past antecedent;
(5) Injured is out of danger and discharged from the hospital;
(6) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take
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R/CR.MA/15065/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/07/2026
its own time.
(7) Complainant – brother of the victim has filed an affidavit
stating he has no objection if the applicant is released on bail.
[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 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.
11210065260631 of 2026 registered with Utran Police Station, Surat, 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
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R/CR.MA/15065/2026 ORDER DATED: 06/07/2026
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.
(h) not to enter into Surat City for a period of six months except
for marking presence before the concerned police station and/
or for attending 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 06/07/2026 14:39:02
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