Allahabad High Court
SUNIL RAJBHARversusSTATE OF U.P. AND 3 OTHERS
- Decided
- Bench
- GAUTAM CHOWDHARY
Holding
The court granted bail to the applicant, finding that he had made out a case for bail.
Summary
The High Court of Allahabad considered bail application No. 29149 of 2025 filed by Sunil Rajbhar, who is accused in Crime No. 268 of 2025 under sections 74, 351(2), 70(2) of the B.N.S., sections 5G/6 of the POCSO Act and section 67 of the Income Tax Act. The applicant pleaded innocence, citing that the victim’s statement recorded during trial does not support the prosecution’s case and that he has been in custody since 19‑07‑2025. The State opposed bail, arguing that the applicant’s innocence could not yet be determined. After reviewing the record, the court, without expressing a view on the merits, found that the applicant had made out a case for bail and ordered his release on personal bond and two sureties, subject to conditions prohibiting evidence tampering, intimidation of witnesses, and committing similar offences. The court also warned that breach of any condition would permit cancellation of bail.
Issues considered
- Whether the applicant is entitled to bail despite the serious nature of the offences alleged under the B.N.S., POCSO Act and Income Tax Act
- Whether there is a risk of the applicant tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses
- Whether the applicant is likely to flee or commit further offences if released
Legislation cited
- B.N.S. — s. 351(2), 70(2), 74
- Income Tax Act — s. 67
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act — s. 5G, 6
Subjects
- bail
- criminal procedure
- evidence tampering
- witness intimidation
- POCSO
- tax offence
- conditions of bail
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 29149 of 2025
Sunil Rajbhar
.....Applicant(s)
Versus
State Of U.P. And 3 Others
.....Opposite
Party(s)
Counsel for Applicant(s) : Ankita Pandey, Kirt Raj
Yadav, Mohd Hamid
Counsel for Opposite Party(s) : G.A.
Court No. - 65
HON'BLE DR. GAUTAM CHOWDHARY, J.
1. List revised. Office vide its report dated 19.03.2026 has
reported that notice issued to the first informant of the case has
been served, whereas notice upon the Child Welfare
Committee, Khushinagar has been served, inspite of service of
notice, none appears either for the informant or Child Welfare
Committee as well as for the High Court Legal Services.
2. Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned A.G.A for
the State and perused the record.
3. It has been argued by learned counsel for the applicant that
the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the
present case. Learned counsel further submits that by the efflux
of time, trial began and during the trial, the statement of P.W.
2-victim was recorded and she has not supported the
prosecution version, copy of which statement is annexed as
Annexure-SA1 to the supplementary affidavit filed in
connected Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 30552 of 2025,
which is on record in the said bail application. He thus submits
that no offence against the applicant is made out. Several other
submissions in order to demonstrate the falsity of the
allegations made against the applicant have also been placed
before the Court. The circumstances which, according to the
counsel, led to the false implication of the accused have also
BAIL No. 29149 of 2025
2
been mentioned. It has also been assured on behalf of the
applicant that he is ready to cooperate with the process of law
and shall faithfully make himself available before the court
whenever required and is also ready to accept all the conditions
which the Court may deem fit to impose upon him. He next
submits that applicant is languishing in jail since 19.07.2025.
4. Per contra, learned A.G.A. opposed the prayer for bail of the
applicant by contending that the innocence of the applicant
cannot be adjudged at this stage, therefore, he does not deserve
any indulgence.
5. Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the case,
submissions of learned counsel for the parties, nature of
evidence, and all attending facts and circumstances of the case,
without expressing any opinion on merits of the case, this
Court is of the view that the applicant has made out a case for
bail. Hence the bail application is allowed.
6. Let applicant Sunil Rajbhar involved in Case Crime
No.268 of 2025 under Sections 74, 351(2), 70(2) of B.N.S.,
Section 5G/6 of POCSO Act and Section 67 of I.T.Act, Police
Station Tamkuhiraj, District Kushinagar, be released on bail on
furnishing a personal bond and two heavy local sureties each of
the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned
subject to the following conditions:-
A. The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence during the
trial.
B. The applicant shall not pressurize/ intimidate the
prosecution witness.
C. The applicant shall appear before the trial court on the date
fixed, unless personal presence is exempted.
D. The applicant shall not commit an offence similar to the
offence of which he is an accused, or suspected, of the
commission of he is suspected.
BAIL No. 29149 of 2025
3
E. The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any
inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with
the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing
such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with
the evidence.
7. In case of breach of any of the above condition, the trial
Court shall be at liberty to cancel the bail of the applicant in
accordance with law.
(Dr. Gautam Chowdhary,J.)
March 19, 2026
S.Ali
Digitally signed by :-
SHAUKAT ALI
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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