Allahabad High Court

SONVEER @ SOHANVEERversusSTATE OF U.P.

Decided: 22 September 2026
Bench: JAI PRAKASH TIWARI

Holding

The court allowed the bail application, granting the applicant release on bail with conditions.

Summary

The applicant, Sonveer @ Sohanveer, was arrested in connection with a case (Crime No. 156 of 2026) alleging forgery of a sale deed and several offences under the Indian Penal Code, including sections 318(4), 351(3), 352, 191(2), 336(3), 338 and 340(2). He claimed absolute innocence, arguing that the prosecution’s case was motivated by ulterior motives and that his co‑accused had already been granted bail. The applicant had been in custody since 17 July 2026 and submitted a supplementary affidavit detailing his clean criminal record. The State opposed the bail, but the court considered the lack of distinction from co‑accused bail, the applicant’s surrender of sureties, and the heavy pendency of cases. Finding no reason to deny liberty, the court granted bail subject to personal bond, two sureties, and specific conditions to prevent tampering with evidence or intimidation of witnesses. The order expressly refrained from commenting on the merits of the underlying criminal case.

Issues considered

Whether the applicant is entitled to bail during the pendency of trial despite serious charges under the IPC.
Whether the grant of bail to co‑accused influences the applicant's entitlement to bail.
Whether the conditions imposed on bail are appropriate to safeguard the trial process.

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code — s. 191(2), 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 351(3), 352

Subjects

bail
criminal procedure
Indian Penal Code
sureties
presumption of innocence
trial pendency
conditions of bail

Judgment

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 33047 of 2026

Sonveer @ Sohanveer
.....Applicant(s)
Versus

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

Counsel for Applicant(s) : Kuldeep Kumar
Counsel for Opposite Party(s) : G.A.

Court No. - 70
HON'BLE JAI PRAKASH TIWARI, J.

Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned AGA for the State-
respondent and perused the record of the case.

The instant application has been filed seeking release of the applicant on
bail in Case Crime No. 156 of 2026, under Sections 318(4), 351(3), 352,
191(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2) BNS, Police Station- Chola, District-
Bulandshahr, during pendency of the trial in the court concerned.

Learned counsel for the applicant submitted that the applicant is
absolutely innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case
due to some ulterior motive. It is alleged by prosecution that applicant
along with other co-accused executed forged sale deed in favour of the
informant. It is next submitted that applicant is having no concern with
the allegations levelled against him and he has not committed any offence
as alleged by prosecution. It is next submitted that other three co-accused
Shiv Kumar, Rahul Kumar and Satya Prakash have already been granted
bail by this Court vide order dated 8.9.2026 in Criminal Misc. Bail
Application No. 27877 of 2026. Case of applicant is not distinguishable
from those of co-accused. Criminal history of the applicant has been duly
explained in the supplementary affidavit filed in support of the instant bail
application. The applicant is languishing in jail since 17.07.2026. It is also
submitted that the applicant undertakes that he will not misuse the liberty,
if granted. It has also been pointed out that in the wake of heavy pendency
of cases in the Court, there is no likelihood of any early conclusion of
trial.

The prayer for bail has been vehemently opposed by learned A.G.A.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, perusing the record,
evidence and also considering the nature of allegations, arguments
advanced by the learned counsel for the parties, this Court is of the view
that the applicant is entitled to be enlarged on bail during the pendency of
BAIL No. 33047 of 2026
2

the trial.

Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case,
the instant bail application is allowed.

Let applicant, Sonveer @ Sohanveer be released on bail in the aforesaid
case on his executing a personal bond and furnishing two sureties each in
the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned subject to the
following conditions:-

(i). The applicant will not tamper with the evidence during the trial.

(ii). The applicant will not pressurize/ intimidate the prosecution witness.

(iii). The applicant will appear before the trial court on the date fixed,
unless personal presence is exempted.

(iv). The applicant shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of
which he is accused, or suspected, of the commission of which he is
suspected.

(v). 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 him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police
officer or tamper with the evidence.

It is further directed that the identity, status and residence proof of the
sureties be verified by the authorities concerned before they are accepted.

In case of breach of any of the above conditions, the trial court will be at
liberty to cancel the bail.

It is clarified that the observations made herein are limited to the facts
brought in by the parties pertaining to the disposal of bail application and
the said observations shall have no bearing on the merits of the case
during trial.

(Jai Prakash Tiwari,J.)
September 23, 2026
KK Patel

Digitally signed by :-
KRISHN KANT PATEL
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

Continue reading with your account

Checking your session…