Allahabad High Court
RAVI CHAUDHARIversusSTATE OF U.P.
- Decided
- Bench
- VIVEK VARMA
Holding
The applicant is entitled to be released on bail.
Summary
The High Court considered a bail application filed under Section 483 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on behalf of Ravi Chaudhari, who was charged under Sections 3(1), 2(b)(i), 2(b)(xi) and 2(b)(xiv) of the U.P. Gangsters and Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. The applicant argued that the FIR was vague, did not allege any act fitting the statutory definition of a "gang" or "gangster", and that only one case was shown against him in the gang chart, for which he had already been granted bail. The State opposed the bail but could not refute these points. Relying on Section 19(4)(b) of the Gangsters Act and finding no likelihood of the applicant tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses, the Court held that bail was appropriate. Consequently, the bail application was allowed subject to standard conditions of personal bond, sureties, non‑tampering, non‑pressurising of witnesses and attendance in court.
Issues considered
- Whether the FIR under the U.P. Gangsters and Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 is maintainable when the allegations are vague and do not satisfy the statutory definition of a gang or gangster.
- Whether bail can be granted to the accused under Section 19(4)(b) of the Gangsters Act in the circumstances presented.
Legislation cited
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 483
- U.P. Gangsters and Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 — s. 19(4)(b), 2(b)(i), 2(b)(xi), 2(b)(xiv), 3(1)
Subjects
- bail
- gangsters act
- Uttar Pradesh
- criminal procedure
- FIR
- definition of gang
- evidence tampering
- witness intimidation
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 34660 of 2026
Ravi Chaudhari
.....Applicant(s)
Versus
State of U.P.
.....Opposite Party(s)
Counsel for Applicant(s) : Anil Pratap Singh
Counsel for Opposite Party(s) : G.A.
Court No. - 64
HON'BLE VIVEK VARMA, J.
1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant, Sri Nagendra Kumar Mishra,
learned Brief Holder for the State-opposite party and perused the record.
2. The instant bail application, under Section 483 B.N.S.S. has been filed
with a prayer to enlarge the applicant on bail in Case Crime No. 472 of 2026
, under Section 3(1), 2(b)(i), 2(b)(xi) and 2(b)(xiv) of the U.P. Gangsters and
Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, Police Station- Chiluatal,
District- Gorakhpur, during the pendency of trial.
3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that according to the gang chart,
only one case is shown against the applicant and in the said case the
applicant 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 solitary criminal case 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,
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
28.06.2026.
6. Learned Brief Holder 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
BAIL No. 34660 of 2026
2
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- Ravi Chaudhari, involved in the aforesaid case, be
released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond and two 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.
September 29, 2026
Abhishek
(Vivek Varma, J.)
Digitally signed by :-
ABHISHEK SINGH
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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