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High Court of Gujarat

JAYESH @ JAYRAJ VELJI SOLANKIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

Disposal
38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH

Holding

The Court allowed the application and granted regular bail to the petitioner.

Summary

The petitioner, Jayesh Velji Solanki, applied for regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in connection with an FIR under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. He claimed innocence and argued that the investigation was nearly complete, having been in custody since 31 July 2026. The State opposed bail, asserting the applicant’s involvement and past antecedents. The Court examined established bail principles, including the nature of the offence, risk of witness tampering, likelihood of absconding, and the applicant’s character, while noting that continued detention would amount to a pre‑trial conviction. Citing Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor), the Court emphasized the presumption of innocence and the importance of personal liberty under Article 21. Finding no substantial reason to deny bail, the Court granted regular bail subject to a personal bond and several conditions. The order also directed that any breach of conditions could lead to cancellation of bail.

Issues considered

  • Whether regular bail can be granted under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in the present case
  • Whether the nature of the offence, status of investigation, and the applicant’s antecedents justify denial of bail
  • Application of Supreme Court bail jurisprudence to the facts of this case

Legislation cited

Subjects

regular bailSection 483 BNSSGujarat Prohibition Actpre‑trial detentionpersonal libertyArticle 21bail jurisprudence

Judgment

 R/CR.MA/19487/2026(GJHC240626412026)                        ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026




            IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

   R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
               CHARGESHEET) NO. 19487 of 2026
==========================================================
                       JAYESH @ JAYRAJ VELJI SOLANKI
                                  Versus
                            STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR. MAULIK M SONI(7249) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MS MAITHILI MEHTA, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
  CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR

                                   Date : 21/08/2026

                                        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
Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in
connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11993017260160 of 2026 registered
with Gagodar Police Station, Kachchh East Gandhidham, for the o.ence
under the provisions of 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 o.ence.
Substantial part of investigation is over. He therefore submits that,
considering the nature of the o.ence, 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 submitted that, the applicant is
involved in the o.ence. Considering the conduct of the 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 o.ence, the jurisdiction to grant bail has to be
exercised on the basis of the well settled principles having regard to the



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 R/CR.MA/19487/2026(GJHC240626412026)                       ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026




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 31.07.2026;
(3)      Now, there is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the
         applicant;
(4)      There is no possibility to conclude the trial in near future.
(5)    Though the applicant is having past antecedents, he is presumed to
       be innocent till proven guilty;.
(6)      O.ence is triable by JMFC Court.

[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


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 R/CR.MA/19487/2026(GJHC240626412026)                       ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026




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 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.
11993017260160 of 2026 registered with Gagodar Police Station,
Kachchh East Gandhidham, on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/-
(Rupees Twenty- ve 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 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 Aadhar card, email ID/present address of his
            residence to the Investigating OFcer 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)    if the applicant is found to be indulged in any illegal activities in
            future, the trial Court concerned will be free to issue warrant and
            cancel the bail granted to the applicant.



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       R/CR.MA/19487/2026(GJHC240626412026)                                              ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026




          (h)       not to enter into Kachchh 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 applicant only if he is 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 inHuenced 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 21/08/2026 15:30:07

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