RANGESH SHANKRIYA DAVARversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The court held that, on the facts, the applicants are entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 despite the pending investigation.
Summary
The High Court of Gujarat considered a regular bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by Rangesh Shankriya Davar and an associate, who were accused of possessing contraband liquor worth Rs.6,63,274 under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. The applicants claimed innocence and argued that a substantial part of the investigation was complete, while the State opposed bail, alleging involvement in the offence. The court examined bail principles, including the nature of the accusation, risk of witness tampering, likelihood of absconding, and the applicants' clean record. Citing Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor), the court emphasized that bail is the rule and pre‑trial detention the exception, protected by Article 21. Concluding that the case warranted the exercise of discretion, the court granted regular bail with a personal bond of Rs.25,000 each and several conditions.
Issues considered
- Whether the accused are entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS before the filing of a chargesheet for an offence under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
- Whether the nature of the contraband liquor offence and the status of the investigation justify the grant of bail.
- Whether the conditions imposed are sufficient to safeguard the trial process and prevent tampering with evidence.
Legislation cited
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/19509/2026(GJHC240625822026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
CHARGESHEET) NO. 19509 of 2026
==========================================================
RANGESH SHANKRIYA DAVAR & ANR.
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
NIRAV V PARGHI(8032) for the Applicant(s) No. 1,2
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.
Draft amendment is allowed.
[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. 11823025260918 of 2026 registered
with Tilakwada Police Station, Narmada, for the o0ence 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 o0ence.
Substantial part of investigation is over. He therefore submits that,
considering the nature of the o0ence, 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 o0ence. 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
Page 1 of 4
R/CR.MA/19509/2026(GJHC240625822026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026
accused in the alleged o0ence, 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) Contraband liquor /Beer i.e. Rs.6,63,274/- was found from possession
of the applicants.
(2) No past antecedents;
(3) Applicants are behind the bar since 04.08.2026;
(4) Substantial part of investigation is over;
(5) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant;
(6) There is no possibility to conclude the trial in near future.
(7) O0ence 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/19509/2026(GJHC240625822026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026
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.
11823025260918 of 2026 registered with Tilakwada Police Station,
Narmada on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-!ve
Thousand only) each with one local 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 OEcer and also to the Court at the time of
Page 3 of 4
R/CR.MA/19509/2026(GJHC240625822026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026
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.
[9.0] The authorities will release the applicants only if they are not required
in connection with any other o0ence 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 15:26:11
Page 4 of 4
Search Indian case law
Ask in plain English, not just keywords. 25,000 AI words free, no card.