DHARMENDRA @ DHAMO S/O NAGJIBHAI FANGALIYAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court allowed the regular bail application, granting bail with conditions.
Summary
The High Court of Gujarat considered an application for regular bail filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 by Dharmendra, who was charged under the Gujarat Prohibition Act for transporting illicit liquor. The investigation was complete and a chargesheet had been filed; the applicant had been in custody since 4 May 2026. The State opposed bail, citing the applicant's alleged involvement and past antecedents, arguing a risk of flight. The Court examined established bail principles, noting that the applicant is presumed innocent, there is no further material to be recovered, and the prosecution failed to justify continued detention. Relying on Supreme Court precedents, the Court held that bail is a rule and jail an exception, and therefore granted regular bail subject to strict conditions.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail can be granted after the filing of a chargesheet under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023.
- Whether the nature of the offence, the applicant's past antecedents, and the risk of flight justify denial of bail.
Legislation cited
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/16098/2026 ORDER DATED: 15/07/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER
CHARGESHEET) NO. 16098 of 2026
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DHARMENDRA @ DHAMO S/O NAGJIBHAI FAGALIYA
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR. ADIT V PANCHOLI(14657) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR. DEVANGVAN S. GOSWAMI(21498) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR VINAY VISHEN, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 15/07/2026
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.11189006260286 of 2026 registered with Tanaka
Police Station, District Morbi, for the offences under the
provisions of Gujarat Prohibition 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. Investigation is over and chargesheet has
been filed. Nothing is required to be recovered or discovered. He
therefore submits that, considering the nature of the offence, the
applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable
conditions.
Page 1 of 5
R/CR.MA/16098/2026 ORDER DATED: 15/07/2026
[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 is very much involved in the present offence and past
antecedent also and if the applicant is released on bail, possibility
cannot be ruled out that the applicant will flee from justice.
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. Allegation
against the present applicant is that while cutting activity of huge
quantity of IMFL was going on, present applicant along with the co-
accused watched and thereafter found transporting the same
through his car. Muddamal of about Rs.60/- laksh seized.
Following aspects have been considered:
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R/CR.MA/16098/2026 ORDER DATED: 15/07/2026
(1) Investigation is over and charge-sheet is filed;
(2) Applicant is behind the bar since 04/05/2026;
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the
applicant;
(4) Initially the applicant was not named in the FIR and
during the investigation his name is affixed;
(5) Though the applicant is having past antecedent, he is
presumed to be innocent till proven guilty;
(6) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will
take its own time;
(7) 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
of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and
Page 3 of 5
R/CR.MA/16098/2026 ORDER DATED: 15/07/2026
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.11189006260286 of 2026 registered with Tanaka
Police Station, District Morbi, 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
every month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m.
and 2.00 p.m.;
(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 Rajkot District for a period of six
months except for marking presence before the
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R/CR.MA/16098/2026 ORDER DATED: 15/07/2026
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)
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 15/07/2026 17:56:52
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