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High Court of Gujarat

KASAM JUMA KHARIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

Disposal
38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH

Holding

The Court held that bail should be granted as a matter of discretion given the lack of mens rea and the circumstances of the case.

Summary

The High Court of Gujarat considered an application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for regular bail after a charge‑sheet had been filed against Kasam Juma Khari for offences under Sections 103(1) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 25(1) of the Arms Act and Section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act. The applicant claimed he was falsely implicated and that his conduct amounted only to negligence without any mens rea. The State opposed bail, citing the gravity of the offences. The Court examined bail jurisprudence, noting the presumption of innocence, the need to avoid pre‑trial detention, and cited the Supreme Court decisions in Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor. Finding no evidence of intent and considering the applicant’s cooperation, the Court exercised its discretion to grant regular bail subject to a personal bond and several conditions.

Issues considered

  • Whether regular bail can be granted after a charge‑sheet for offences under the BNS, Arms Act and Gujarat Police Act.
  • Whether the alleged negligent act without mens rea justifies denial of bail.
  • Whether the conditions imposed are sufficient to ensure the accused’s attendance at trial and prevent tampering with evidence.

Legislation cited

Subjects

regular bailcharge‑sheetnegligencepresumption of innocencepersonal libertySection 483 BNSSBharatiya Nyaya SanhitaArms ActGujarat Police ActArticle 21

Judgment

    R/CR.MA/16103/2026                                ORDER DATED: 12/08/2026




 IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
   R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER
               CHARGESHEET) NO. 16103 of 2026
==========================================================
                       KASAM JUMA KHARI
                              Versus
                       STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR NAUMAN S QURESHI(10669) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR SHAKEEL A QURESHI(1077) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MS SHRUTI PATHAK, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
  CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR

                             Date : 12/08/2026
                                 ORDER

[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State.

[2.0] The present application is 6led under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in
connection with FIR being C.R. No.11218005250111 of 2025 registered with
Navi Bandar Marine Police Station, District Porbandar for the oAences
punishable under Sections 103(1) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,
2023 (for short “BNS”); section 25(1) of the Arms Act and section 135 of the
Gujarat Police Act.

[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that
applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the oAence and now
nothing is required to be recovered or discovered. He therefore submits
that, considering the nature of the oAence, 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 looking to the nature and gravity of the oAence.


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      R/CR.MA/16103/2026                                   ORDER DATED: 12/08/2026




[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the
accused in the alleged oAence, 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)       The applicant is not named initially in the FIR however, it is alleged
          that the present applicant opened a 6re in negligent manner due to
          which the deceased who was travelling in tractor received injury and
          succumbed however, prima facie, no mens rea or intention on the
          part of the present applicant is revealed and at the most applicant
          can be attributed with reckless and negligent act and even
          otherwise, investigation is over and charge-sheet is 6led;

(2)       Applicant is behind the bars since 15.12.2025;

(3)       There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant;

(4)       Though the applicant is having past antecedents, he is presumed
          to be innocent till proven guilty;

(5)       Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take some


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    R/CR.MA/16103/2026                                       ORDER DATED: 12/08/2026




               time.

[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 6t
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.11218005250111 of 2025 registered with Navi Bandar Marine Police
Station, District Porbandar on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/-
(Rupees Twenty-6ve Thousand only) with ONE 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 leave the territory of State of Gujarat without prior
                  permission of the Trial Court concerned;




                                         Page 3 of 4
    R/CR.MA/16103/2026                                                           ORDER DATED: 12/08/2026




     (e)       mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a
               month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00
               p.m.;

     (f)       furnish the copy of Aadhaar card, email ID/contact number /
               permanent and present address of his residence to the
               Investigating OLcer and also to the Court at the time of
               execution of the bond and shall not change the residence and
               contact number/SIM card 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.

[9.0] The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in
connection with any other oAence 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 inMuenced 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.)
Ajay
    Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
    Digitally signed by: AJAY CHANDRAN MENON(HC00939), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 12/08/2026 14:27:26




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