KAUSHIK @ KAVO JIGNESHBHAI @ JAGDISHBHAI BARAIYA (TALPADA KOLI)versusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court granted regular bail to the applicant, finding the case fit for bail under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023.
Summary
The applicant, Kaushik Baraiya, sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for an alleged offence under the Gujarat Prohibition Act involving contraband liquor found in his car. The State opposed bail, arguing his ownership of the vehicle implicated him in the crime. The Court considered factors such as the nature of the offence, the applicant’s lack of prior record, the near‑completion of the investigation, and the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception, citing Supreme Court precedents. Finding no risk of tampering, absconding, or threat to public interest, the Court deemed the case fit for bail. Consequently, the applicant was released on regular bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with one surety and complying with several conditions. The order also directed that any breach could lead to warrant issuance and bail cancellation.
Issues considered
- Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 in a case of alleged contraband liquor possession.
- Whether the applicant’s ownership of the vehicle containing liquor constitutes sufficient involvement to deny bail.
- Whether the factors such as nature of offence, investigation status, and personal liberty justify granting bail.
Legislation cited
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/16071/2026 ORDER DATED: 16/07/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
CHARGESHEET) NO. 16071 of 2026
==========================================================
KAUSHIK @ KAVO JIGNESHBHAI @ JAGDISHBHAI BARAIYA (TALPADA
KOLI)
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR SANJAY PRAJAPATI(3227) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR KRUTIK PARIKH, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 16/07/2026
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. 11195036260066 of 2026 registered
with Pathavada Police Station, Banaskantha, for the offence under the
provisions of The 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. The applicant has no past
antecedent. He is owner of the car in which contraband liquor was
transporting. 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
owner of the car from which contraband liquor was found and therefore, he
is very much involved in the offence. Considering the conduct of the
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R/CR.MA/16071/2026 ORDER DATED: 16/07/2026
applicant, application does not deserve any 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) Investigation is almost over;
(2) Applicant is behind the bar since 12.06.2026;
(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) No past antecedent. He is owner of the car from which contraband
liquor worth of Rs.1,13,000/- 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
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R/CR.MA/16071/2026 ORDER DATED: 16/07/2026
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.
11195036260066 of 2026 registered with Pathavada Police Station,
Banaskantha 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 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;
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R/CR.MA/16071/2026 ORDER DATED: 16/07/2026
(g) not to indulge in any illegal activity failing which learned trial
Court shall issue warrant and cancel the bail of the applicant.
[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 16/07/2026 14:34:34
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