Created byFuzzy Cloud

High Court of Gujarat

VIKUBHAI NARSUBHAI @ NARKU MAVIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

Disposal
38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH

Holding

The Court allowed the regular bail application, granting bail subject to specified conditions.

Summary

The petitioners, Vikubhai Narsubhai and another, were arrested for allegedly transporting contraband liquor in violation of the Gujarat Prohibition Act and filed a regular bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 before the chargesheet was filed. The petitioners claimed innocence and argued that the investigation was substantially complete, while the State opposed bail, alleging involvement in the offence. The Court examined bail principles, considering factors such as the nature of the accusation, risk of witness tampering, and the presumption of innocence, and referred to Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor). Finding that continued detention would amount to pre‑trial punishment and that the case was triable by a magistrate, the Court exercised its discretion to grant regular bail. The bail was ordered on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 each with a surety, subject to detailed conditions regarding residence, travel, and conduct.

Issues considered

  • What is the appropriate exercise of discretion in granting regular bail under Section 483 BNSS before a chargesheet is filed in a contraband liquor case?
  • Whether the nature of the offence under the Gujarat Prohibition Act and the alleged involvement of the accused justify denial of bail?

Legislation cited

Subjects

regular bailpre‑trial detentioncontraband liquorGujarat Prohibition ActSection 483 BNSSpersonal libertyArticle 21bail conditions

Judgment

    R/CR.MA/19113/2026                               ORDER DATED: 17/08/2026




            IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

   R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
               CHARGESHEET) NO. 19113 of 2026
==========================================================
                VIKUBHAI NARSUBHAI @ NARKU MAVI & ANR.
                                 Versus
                           STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR. MAULIK M SONI(7249) for the Applicant(s) No. 1,2
MR KRUTIK PARIKH, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
 CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR

                              Date : 17/08/2026

                                   ORDER

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

[2.0] The present application is     led under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in
connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11821001260932 of 2026 registered
with Randhikpur Police Station, District : Dahod, for the o.ence under
the provisions of The Gujarat Prohibition Act.

[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicants submits that
applicants are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the o.ence.
Substantial part of investigation is over. He therefore submits that,
considering the nature of the o.ence, 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 applicants are
involved in the o.ence. Considering the conduct of the applicants,
application does not deserve any consideration.

[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the
accused in the alleged o.ence, the jurisdiction to grant bail has to be


                                   Page 1 of 4
      R/CR.MA/19113/2026                                   ORDER DATED: 17/08/2026




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 applicants were caught red handed while transporting
         contraband liquor.
(2)      Though the applicants are having past antecedent, they are
         presumed to be innocent till proven guilty;
(3)      Applicants are behind the bar since 25.07.2026;
(4)      Substantial part of investigation is over;
(5)      There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicants;
(6)      There is no possibility to conclude the trial in near future.
(7)      O.ence is triable by the Court of Magistrate.

[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


                                      Page 2 of 4
    R/CR.MA/19113/2026                                  ORDER DATED: 17/08/2026




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
 t case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicants on regular bail.
Hence, the present application is allowed. The applicants are ordered to be
released on regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.
11821001260932 of 2026 registered with Randhikpur Police Station,
District : Dahod, on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees
Twenty- ve Thousand only) each with one surety of the like amount to the
satisfaction of the trial Court and subject to the conditions that they 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;
   (e)     mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a week
           till   ling of the chargesheet and after   ling of the chargesheet,
           mark presence before the concerned police station once in a
           month for a period of six months;
   (f)     furnish the copy of Aadhaar card, email ID/contact number /
           permanent and present address of his residence to the
           Investigating ODcer and also to the Court at the time of



                                    Page 3 of 4
       R/CR.MA/19113/2026                                                        ORDER DATED: 17/08/2026




                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.
      (h)       not to enter into Dahod District 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 applicants only if they are not required
 in connection with any other o.ence 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 inGuenced by the observations
 of preliminary nature qua the evidence at this stage made by this Court
 while enlarging the applicants 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 17/08/2026 14:41:13


                                                    Page 4 of 4


Search Indian case law

Ask in plain English, not just keywords. 25,000 AI words free, no card.

Try "regular bail"Sign in to search

For a digitally signed copy suitable for filing, refer to the court's own website. Only the court can issue one.