VIRSINH KASUBHA SOLANKIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- P M RAVAL
Holding
The Court allowed the anticipatory bail application, granting pre‑arrest bail with conditions.
Summary
The applicant, Virsinh Kasubha Solanki, filed an anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking protection from arrest in connection with an FIR alleging violations of Sections 65(a), 65(e), 81, 98(2) and 116B of the Prohibition Act, 1949. The applicant argued that custodial interrogation was unnecessary, he had no prior criminal record, and he would cooperate fully with the investigation. The State opposed the bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. The Court examined the standard bail factors—nature of the accusation, antecedents, flight risk, and potential misuse of the process—while relying on Supreme Court precedents (Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre, Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia, Sushila Aggarwal). Considering that the main accused had been acquitted, the applicant had no antecedents, and he gave assurances of cooperation, the Court granted anticipatory bail with a personal bond of Rs.10,000 and several conditions. The order also clarified that the bail does not impede police investigation and that the trial court should not be influenced by the bail order.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail should be granted to the applicant under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 in view of the alleged offences under the Prohibition Act, 1949.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023s. 482, s. 483(2)
- Prohibition Act, 1949s. 116B, s. 65(a), s. 65(e), s. 81, s. 98(2)
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/7780/2026 ORDER DATED: 07/04/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR ANTICIPATORY
BAIL) NO. 7780 of 2026
================================================
VIRSINH KASUBHA SOLANKI
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
================================================
Appearance:
MR HIMANSU M PADHYA(1611) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR PRANAV DHAGAT, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. M. RAVAL
Date : 07/04/2026
ORAL ORDER
1. Rule. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor waives service
of notice of rule for respondent – State of Gujarat.
2. By way of this application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNSS”), the applicant
has prayed for anticipatory bail in the event of arrest in connection
with the FIR being C.R. No. 11195004230551 of 2023, registered
with Deesa South Police Station, District: Banaskantha for the
offences punishable under Sections 65(a), 65(e), 81, 98(2) and 116B
of the Prohibition Act, 1949.
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R/CR.MA/7780/2026 ORDER DATED: 07/04/2026
3. Learned advocate for the applicant submits that the nature of
allegations are such that custodial interrogation at this stage is not
necessary. It is further submitted that the applicant will keep
himself available during the course of investigation and trial also
and will not flee from justice.
3.1 The learned advocate for the applicant further states that the
applicant shall abide by all the conditions that may be imposed
while granting anticipatory bail to the applicant. Accordingly, it is
urged that this application may be allowed and to grant the
anticipatory bail to the applicant.
4. As against this, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor
appearing on behalf of the respondent – State has opposed grant of
anticipatory bail looking to the nature and gravity of the offence
and requested not to entertain this application.
5. Having heard the learned advocates appearing for the
parties and perusing the papers available on record, it is
incumbent upon the Court to exercise its discretion judiciously,
cautiously and strictly in compliance with the basic principles laid
down in plethora of decisions of the Apex Court on the point. It is
well settled that, among other circumstances, the factors to be
borne in mind while considering an application for bail are (i) the
nature and gravity of the accusation; (ii) the antecedents of the
applicant including the fact as to whether he has previously
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R/CR.MA/7780/2026 ORDER DATED: 07/04/2026
undergone imprisonment on conviction by a Court in respect of
any cognizable offence; (iii) the possibility of the applicant to flee
from justice; and (iv) where the accusation has been made with the
object of injuring or humiliating the applicant by having him so
arrested. Though at the stage of granting bail an elaborate
examination of evidence and detailed reasons touching the merits
of the case, which may prejudice the case of accused, should be
avoided. However, following aspects have been taken into
consideration:
a) the main ,accused who was found in conscious
possession of the prohibited liquor, has been acquitted;
b) the applicant has no antecedents;
c) the learned advocate for the applicant has assured that
the applicant will not flee from justice and would be
available during investigation as well as the trial.
6. Considering the aforesaid aspects and the law laid down by
the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Siddharam Satlingappa
Mhetre v. State of Maharashtra and Others, reported in (2011) 1
SCC 6941, wherein the Hon’ble Apex Court reiterated the law laid
down by the Constitution Bench in the case of Shri Gurubaksh
Singh Sibbia & Others, reported in (1980) 2 SCC 665 and also the
decision in the case of Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi),
reported in (2020) 5 SCC 1, the Court is inclined to allow the present
application.
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R/CR.MA/7780/2026 ORDER DATED: 07/04/2026
7. In the result, this application is allowed by directing that in
the event of arrest/ appearance of the applicant in connection with
the above-referred FIR, the applicant shall be released on bail on
furnishing a personal bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand)
with one surety of like amount on the following conditions that
applicant:
(a) shall cooperate with the investigation and make
available for interrogation whenever required;
(b) shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement,
threat or promise to any person acquainted with the fact of
the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to
the court or to any police officer;
(c) shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation
and not to play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to
be collected by the police;
(d) shall remain present at the concerned Police Station on
15.04.2026 between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.;
(e) shall at the time of execution of bond, furnish the
address to the investigating officer and the court concerned
and shall not change residence till the final disposal of the
case till further orders;
(f) shall not leave India without the permission of the
Court and if having passport shall deposit the same before
the trial Court within a week;
(g) It is open to the police or the investigating agency to
move the learned trial Court for a direction under Section
483(2) of the BNSS to arrest the accused, in the event of
violation of any term, such as absconding, non-cooperating
during investigation, evasion, intimidation or inducement to
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R/CR.MA/7780/2026 ORDER DATED: 07/04/2026
witnesses with a view to influence outcome of the
investigation or trial, etc.
7.1 At the trial, the Trial Court shall not be influenced by the
prima facie observations made by this Court while considering the
bail application.
8. It is made clear that this order of anticipatory bail does not in
any manner limit or restrict the rights or duties of the police or
investigative agency to investigate into the charges against the
applicant who is granted pre-arrest bail.
9. Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service
is permitted.
[ P. M. Raval, J. ]
hiren/DB/1/1tss7426
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: HIREN VIRENDRABHAI MER(HC00351), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 07/04/2026 14:27:42
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