Allahabad High Court

UMASHANKAR YADAVversusSTATE OF U.P.

Decided: 5 May 2026
Bench: VIVEK VARMA

Holding

The applicant is entitled to be released on bail.

Summary

The Allahabad High Court considered bail application No. 13713 of 2026 filed by Umashankar Yadav under Sections 2/3(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. The applicant contended that the FIR was vague, did not disclose any act falling within the definition of ‘gang’ or ‘gangster’, and that he had already been granted bail in six other related cases. The State opposed bail but could not refute the applicant’s submissions. Relying on Section 19(4)(b) of the Act and being satisfied that the applicant was unlikely to commit further offences or tamper with evidence, the court granted bail without expressing an opinion on the merits. Bail was conditioned on a personal bond, two heavy sureties, and compliance with non‑tampering, non‑pressurising witnesses, and appearance obligations.

Issues considered

Whether the FIR under the Gangsters Act is maintainable given alleged vagueness and lack of a defined ‘gang’ act
Whether bail can be granted under Section 19(4)(b) of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986
Whether the applicant poses a risk of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses if released on bail

Legislation cited

Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 — s. 19(4)(b), 2, 3(1)

Subjects

bail
U.P. Gangsters Act
criminal procedure
evidence tampering
witness intimidation
FIR
Section 19(4)(b)

Judgment

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 13713 of 2026

Umashankar Yadav
.....Applicant(s)
Versus

State of U.P.
.....Opposite
Party(s)

Counsel for Applicant(s) : Pragya Singh, Rajan Srivastava
Counsel for Opposite Party(s) : G.A.

Court No. - 64
HON'BLE VIVEK VARMA, J.

1. Heard counsel for the applicant as well as Sri N.K. Sharma, learned
A.G.A. for the State of U.P. and perused the record.

2. The present bail application has been filed with the prayer to enlarge the
applicant on bail in Case Crime No.24 of 2026, under Section 2/3(1) of the
U.P. Gangsters and Anti Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, Police
Station Narhi, District Ballia, during the pendency of the trial.

3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that according to the gang chart,
one case is shown against the applicant and in the said case the applicant has
been enlarged on bail. It is next contended that apart from the case
mentioned in the gang chart, the applicant is involved in six cases. In the
said cases also he has been enlarged on bail.

4. He further submits that in the F.I.R., in issue, the allegations with regard
to disturbing the public order, as also regarding gaining undue temporal,
pecuniary, material or other advantage of like nature against the applicant
are vague. In absence of allegation concerning an act or omission on the part
of an accused, covered by the definition of terms "gang" and "gangster" as
provided under Section 2 of the Gangsters Act, no F.I.R. is maintainable. In
the instant case, the F.I.R. is based upon the pending criminal cases and not
upon any new allegations or discovery of facts having serious reflection on
the society, for which purpose the Gangsters Act was enacted.

5. It is also submitted that considering the facts of the case, as stated above,
BAIL No. 13713 of 2026
2

there are reasonable grounds for believing that the applicant is not guilty of
the offence under the Gangsters Act and that he would not commit the
offence while on bail nor would try to tamper the evidence or influence the
witnesses in any manner whatsoever it may be. The applicant is in jail since
8.3.2026.

6. Learned A.G.A. for the State has opposed the prayer for bail but could not
satisfactorily dispute the aforesaid submissions from the record.

7. Considering the rival submissions of learned counsel for parties, material
available on record as well as taking note of Section 19(4)(b) of the
Gangsters Act, in light of the submission of counsel for the applicant to the
effect that while on bail in this case, the applicant would not commit any
crime/offence nor would try to tamper the evidence or influence the
witnesses in any manner, whatsoever it may be, and without expressing any
opinion on the merits of the case, I am of the view that the applicant is
entitled to be released on bail. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed.

8. Let the applicant- Umashankar Yadav, involved in the aforesaid case, be
released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond and two heavy sureties
each of the like amount to the satisfaction of court concerned on the
following conditions that:

(i) the applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence;

(ii) the applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses; and,

(iii) the applicant shall appear on each and every date fixed by the trial court.

9. In case of breach of any of the above conditions, the prosecution shall be
at liberty to move bail cancellation application before this Court.

(Vivek Varma,J.)
May 6, 2026
S.S.

Digitally signed by :-
SIDDHARTH SRIVASTAVA
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

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