BHANUMATIBEN @KOKILABEN MAVJIBHAI RESIYAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- SANJEEV THAKER
Holding
Anticipatory bail is granted to the applicant under Section 482 of the BNSS.
Summary
Bhanumatiben @Kokilaben Mavjibhai Resiya and co‑accused filed an anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking protection against arrest in connection with an FIR alleging offences under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act. The Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the relief, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges. The Court examined the nature and gravity of the allegations, the applicant’s lack of a weapon, his limited alleged role (a fist‑blow), and his assurance of cooperation and non‑flight. Relying on Supreme Court precedents (Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre v. State of Maharashtra, Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia & Others, and Sushila Aggarwal v. State), the Court allowed the anticipatory bail, directing a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with a surety and imposing several conditions. The order also clarified that police investigation may continue and the trial court is not bound by the observations made herein.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail should be granted under Section 482 BNSS given the nature and gravity of the offences alleged.
- Whether the applicant is likely to flee or tamper with evidence.
- Whether custodial interrogation is necessary at this stage.
- Applicability of Supreme Court precedents on anticipatory bail to the present facts.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitas. 482, s. 483(2)
- Bharatiya Nyay Sanhitas. 109(1), s. 118(1), s. 189(2), s. 189(4), s. 191(2), s. 191(3), s. 333, s. 352
- Gujarat Police Acts. 135
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/12479/2026 ORDER DATED: 30/07/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL) NO. 12479
of 2026
==========================================================
BHANUMATIBEN @KOKILABEN MAVJIBHAI RESIYA & ANR.
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
DHRUVIN P BHUPTANI(8295) for the Applicant(s) No. 1,2
MR RONAK RAVAL, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SANJEEV J.THAKER
Date : 30/07/2026
ORAL ORDER
1. By way of this application under Section 482 of the
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short,
“BNSS”), the applicant has prayed for anticipatory bail in the
event of arrest in connection with the FIR being C.R. No.
11208051260334 of 2026, registered with the B Division
Police Station, Rajkot City, for the offences punishable under
Sections 109(1), 118(1), 333, 352, 189(2), 189(4), 191(2), 191(3)
of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Section 135 of the
Gujarat Police Act.
2. Rule. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor waives
service of notice of rule for respondent – State of Gujarat.
3. Learned advocate for the applicant submits that the
nature of allegations are such that custodial interrogation at
this stage is not necessary. It is further submitted that the
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R/CR.MA/12479/2026 ORDER DATED: 30/07/2026
applicant will keep himself available during the course of
investigation and trial also and will not flee from justice.
3.1 The learned advocate for the applicant further states
that the applicant shall abide by all the conditions that may
be imposed while granting anticipatory bail to the applicant.
Accordingly, it is urged that this application may be allowed
and to grant the anticipatory bail to the applicant.
4. As against this, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor
appearing on behalf of the respondent – State has opposed
grant of anticipatory bail looking to the nature and gravity of
the offence and requested not to entertain this application.
5. Having heard the learned advocates appearing for the
parties and perusing the papers available on record, it is
incumbent upon the Court to exercise its discretion
judiciously, cautiously and strictly in compliance with the
basic principles laid down in plethora of decisions of the
Apex Court on the point. It is well settled that, among other
circumstances, the factors to be borne in mind while
considering an application for bail are (i) the nature and
gravity of the accusation; (ii) the antecedents of the applicant
including the fact as to whether he has previously undergone
imprisonment on conviction by a Court in respect of any
cognizable offence; (iii) the possibility of the applicant to flee
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R/CR.MA/12479/2026 ORDER DATED: 30/07/2026
from justice; and (iv) where the accusation has been made
with the object of injuring or humiliating the applicant by
having him so arrested. Though at the stage of granting bail
an elaborate examination of evidence and detailed reasons
touching the merits of the case, which may prejudice the
case of accused, should be avoided. However, prima facie,
following aspects have been taken into consideration:
a) the applicant was not carrying any weapon;
b) the fact that the role attributed to the present applicant
is only of giving a fist-blow;
c) the learned advocate for the applicant has assured that
the applicant will not flee from justice and would be
available during investigation as well as the trial.
6. Considering the aforesaid aspects and the law laid down
by the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Siddharam
Satlingappa Mhetre v. State of Maharashtra and Others,
reported in (2011) 1 SCC 6941, wherein the Hon’ble Apex
Court reiterated the law laid down by the Constitution Bench
in the case of Shri Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia & Others,
reported in (1980) 2 SCC 665 and also the decision in the
case of Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi), reported in
(2020) 5 SCC 1, the Court is inclined to allow the present
application.
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R/CR.MA/12479/2026 ORDER DATED: 30/07/2026
7. In the result, this application is allowed by directing
that in the event of arrest/ appearance of the applicant in
connection with the above-referred FIR, the applicant shall be
released on bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs.10,000/-
(Rupees Ten Thousand) with one surety of like amount on
the following conditions that applicant:
(a) shall cooperate with the investigation and make
available for interrogation whenever required;
(b) shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement,
threat or promise to any person acquainted with the fact of
the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to
the court or to any police officer;
(c) shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation
and not to play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to
be collected by the police;
(d) shall remain present at the concerned Police Station on
07.08.2026 between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.;
(e) shall at the time of execution of bond, furnish the
address to the investigating officer and the court concerned
and shall not change residence till the final disposal of the
case till further orders;
(f) shall not leave India without the permission of the
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R/CR.MA/12479/2026 ORDER DATED: 30/07/2026
Court and if having passport shall deposit the same before
the trial Court within a week;
(g) It is open to the police or the investigating agency to
move the learned trial Court for a direction under Section
483(2) of the BNSS to arrest the accused, in the event of
violation of any term, such as absconding, non-cooperating
during investigation, evasion, intimidation or inducement to
witnesses with a view to influence outcome of the
investigation or trial, etc.
7.1 At the trial, the Trial Court shall not be influenced by
the prima facie observations made by this Court while
considering the bail application.
8. It is made clear that this order of anticipatory bail does
not in any manner limit or restrict the rights or duties of
the police or investigative agency to investigate into the
charges against the applicant who is granted pre-arrest bail.
9. Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct
service is permitted.
(SANJEEV J.THAKER,J)
PD
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: PARUL DUTTA(HCD0073), ENGLISH STENOGRAPHER GRADE TWO CLASS TWO, at High Court of Gujarat on 30/07/2026 15:54:54
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