Allahabad High Court
VIJAYPALversusSTATE OF U.P.
- Decided
- Bench
- AVNISH SAXENA
Holding
The Court held that anticipatory bail should be granted, subject to strict conditions, as the matter is essentially civil, the applicant poses a low flight risk, and he has pledged cooperation with the investigation.
Summary
The Allahabad High Court entertained an anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the BNSS filed by Vijaypal in Crime No. 624 of 2025, which alleged offences under Sections 351(3), 352, 131, 340(2), 336(3), 338 and 318(4) of the BNS relating to a disputed agricultural land transaction. The FIR named ten persons, accusing the applicant of being a middle‑man in the sale of land that could not be mutated due to ongoing consolidation proceedings. The applicant, who has a prior similar case that was stayed, argued that the matter is essentially civil, he poses a low flight risk, and he is willing to cooperate with the investigation. The State opposed bail. Relying on Supreme Court precedents governing anticipatory bail, the Court considered the nature of the accusation, the applicant’s criminal history, the civil character of the dispute, and the applicant’s assurances, and consequently granted anticipatory bail with a personal bond and several conditions. The order also directed compliance measures for expeditious trial and maintenance of a register of anticipatory bail orders.
Issues considered
- What is the appropriate scope of anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the BNSS in a case involving alleged civil‑revenue disputes?
- Whether the applicant’s prior criminal history and the nature of the alleged offences justify denial of anticipatory bail?
Legislation cited
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- Section 482
- civil dispute
- land transaction
- flight risk
- bail conditions
- criminal antecedent
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
CRIMINAL MISC. ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION U/S 482 BNSS No.
- 4109 of 2026
Vijaypal
.....Applicant(s)
Versus
State of U.P.
.....Opposite
Party(s)
Counsel for Applicant(s) : Vipin Gangwar
Counsel for Opposite Party(s) : G.A.
Court No. - 71
HON'BLE AVNISH SAXENA, J.
1. Heard Sri Vipin Gangwar, learned counsel for the applicant and
Learned AGA for the State.
2. The present anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of BNSS
has been filed by the applicant with a prayer to release him on
anticipatory bail in Case Crime No. 624 of 2025, under Sections 351(3),
352, 131, 340(2), 336(3), 338, 318(4) BNS, P.S.- Meerganj, District-
Bareilly, during pendency of the trial.
3. It is contended by learned counsel for the applicant that the informant
has lodged the FIR dated 9.12.2025 against 10 persons including the
accused applicant. The role attributed on the accused applicant is that he
is the middle man in the purchase of agricultural land mentioned in the
gata number. The sellers have also been accused. It is the allegation in the
FIR that the property which was subjected to sale could not be mutated in
the revenue record as the consolidation proceedings was continuing in the
village. The accused applicant has criminal history of one case, which is
of the like nature arose out of the same dispute wherein the proceedings
have been stayed by this Court. The matter is purely civil in nature. The
informant was knowing that the village was under consolidation. There is
no allegation that the sellers have not having the ownership rights over the
property. The accused applicant wants to co-operate in the investigation
but apprehending arrest. Hence, seeks anticipatory bail.
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4. Per contra learned A.G.A. has opposed the prayer for bail of the
applicant.
5. The scope of ambit of anticipatory bail is encapsulated in three
insightful judgments of Hon’ble Supreme Court right from Gurubaksh
Singh Sibbia Vs. State of Punjab reported in (1980) 2 SCC 565,
Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre Vs. State of Maharashtra reported in
(2011) 1 SCC 694 and Sushila Aggarwal and others Vs. State (NCT of
Delhi) and another reported in (2020) 5 SCC 1, wherein it is
consistently held by Hon’ble Apex Court that while granting anticipatory
bail, the Court should considering the application of the applicant to
evaluate the threat or apprehension of arrest vis-a-vis the nature and
gravity of accusation, criminal antecedent of the accused, false or
exaggerated implication, need of custodial interrogation, willingness of
the accused to cooperate in investigation and trial and the conduct of the
accused and flight risk.
6. Considering that prima facie the matter is of civil and revenue nature,
the gravity of accusation, explained criminal history and apprehension
of arrest in the case vis-a-vis low flight risk and assurance of the accused
in cooperating with the investigation and trial, is of considered view to
grant anticipatory bail.
7. The applicant- Vijaypal involved in the aforesaid case crime shall
appear before the trial court or the Investigating Officer, as the case may
be within 30 days from the date of this order and shall be released on bail
on furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties each in
the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned with following
conditions :-
(i) 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.
(ii) The applicant shall not pressurize/intimidate the prosecution
witnesses.
(iii) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on
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the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii)
recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS.
(iv) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he/she shall
not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the
witnesses are present in the trial court.
(v) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date
fixed, either personally or through his counsel.
8. In case of breach of any of the above conditions, it shall be a ground for
cancellation of bail.
9. It is clarified that anything said in this order is limited to the purpose of
determination of this bail application and will in no way be construed as
an expression on the merits of the case. The trial court shall be absolutely
free to arrive at its independent conclusions on the basis of evidence led
unaffected by anything said in this order.
10. The below mentioned directions shall be complied with for
expeditious disposal of trial, in case charge sheet is submitted against
accused/applicant :-
10.1 As the investigation is continuing, in the event charge sheet is
submitted and cognizance is taken, it would be the duty of the
accused/applicants to appear before the trial court or Magistrate
concerned as the case may be without waiting for the issuance of
summons, within 60 days from the date of cognizance or on the date
fixed, which ever is earlier. So that the trial may not be delayed for non
execution of summons or processes.
10.2 The District Judge concerned shall direct each Magistrate and
Special courts to maintain a register of Anticipatory Bail orders granted
by this Court, wherein the details of Anticipatory Bail shall be entered.
The dedicated official shall be nominated in each Special court and
Magistrate court for maintaining the register.
10.3 The accused/applicants shall provide a copy of the final order of
anticipatory bail within 30 days, to the official concerned in whose
jurisdiction the case lies and shall provide his complete contact details
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including the mobile number and E-mail ID (if maintained); any change
in detail shall be informed by the applicant.
10.4 On the submission of charge sheet and cognizance taken, the
Presiding Officer shall fetch the details of the accused/applicants and the
dedicated official shall inform the accused at the given detail.
(Avnish Saxena,J.)
May 6, 2026
Krishna*
Digitally signed by :-
KRISHNA KUMAR
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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