JAYESHBHAI DEVABHAI MARUversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court held that, given the completed investigation and absence of any necessity for detention, regular bail may be granted under Section 483 of the BNSS, subject to conditions.
Summary
The applicant, a driver, was charged under the Gujarat Prohibition Act for possession of prohibited liquor and a charge‑sheet was filed. He applied for regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, claiming innocence and that the investigation was complete. The State opposed bail, citing the applicant's alleged possession of liquor, past antecedents, and risk of absconding. The Court considered statutory bail factors, the completed investigation, the lack of any material to be recovered, and Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor). Finding no justification for continued detention, the Court granted regular bail with a personal bond and several conditions.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail can be granted after the filing of a charge‑sheet under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023.
- Whether the applicant's alleged possession of prohibited liquor and past antecedents preclude bail.
- Whether the prosecution has demonstrated a necessity to keep the accused in custody pending trial.
- Application of Supreme Court bail jurisprudence to the present facts.
Legislation cited
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/15232/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/07/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER
CHARGESHEET) NO. 15232 of 2026
==========================================================
JAYESHBHAI DEVABHAI MARU
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR MUNJAL V ACHARYA(10678) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR ADITYA JADEJA, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 09/07/2026
ORDER
[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-
State.
[2.0] The present application is filed under Section 483 of the
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for
regular bail in connection with FIR being
C.R.No.11185001260313 of 2026 registered with Bhanvad
Police Station, Devbhoomi Dwarka, for the offences under the
provisions of Gujarat Prohibition Act.
[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant
submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely
implicated in the offence. The applicant was driver of the vehicle
from which the prohibited liquor found. Investigation is over and
chargesheet has been filed. Nothing is required to be recovered or
discovered. He therefore submits that, considering the nature of
the offence, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by
imposing suitable conditions.
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R/CR.MA/15232/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/07/2026
[4.0] Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State has
opposed the present application and requested to dismiss the
present application for regular bail on the ground that the
applicant is very much involved in the present offence as he was
found in conscious possession of the prohibited liquor and he has
past antecedents of similar nature. If the applicant is released on
bail, possibility cannot be ruled out that the applicant will flee from
justice. Therefore, present application does not deserve
consideration.
[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement
of the accused in the alleged offence, the jurisdiction to grant bail
has to be exercised on the basis of the well settled principles
having regard to the facts and circumstances of each case and the
following factors are to be taken into consideration while
considering an application for bail: (i) the nature of accusation and
the severity of the punishment and the nature of the materials
relied upon by the prosecution; (ii) reasonable apprehension of
tampering with the witnesses and threat to the complainant or the
witnesses; (iii) reasonable possibility of securing the presence of
the accused at the time of trial or the likelihood of his abscondence;
(iv) character behaviour and standing of the accused and the
circumstances which are peculiar to the accused; (v) larger interest
of the public or the State and similar other considerations are
required to be considered.
[6.0] I have heard the learned advocates appearing on behalf of the
respective parties and perused the investigation papers. Following
aspects have been considered:
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R/CR.MA/15232/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/07/2026
(1) Investigation is over and charge-sheet is filed;
(2) Applicant is behind the bar since 20/05/2026;
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the
applicant;
(4) Though the applicant is having past antecedents, he is
presumed to be innocent till proven guilty;.
(5) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will
take its own time;
(6) Prosecution has failed to point out the circumstances to
continue or prolong his detention.
[7.0] This Court has also taken into consideration the law laid down
by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra vs.
Central Bureau of Investigation reported in [2012]1 SCC 40 as
well as in the case of Gudikanti Narasimhulu And Ors vs.
Public Prosecutor, High Court of Andhra Pradesh reported in
(1978)1 SCC 240. Obviously, the conclusion of trial will take time
and keeping the accused behind the bars is nothing but amounts to
pre-trial conviction and therefore, considering the celebrated
principle of bail jurisprudence is that “bail is a rule and jail is
exception” as well as the concept of personal liberty guaranteed
under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, present application
deserves consideration.
[8.0] In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the
nature of the allegations made against the applicant in the FIR,
without discussing the evidence in detail, prima facie, this Court is
of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and
enlarge the applicant on regular bail. Hence, the present
application is allowed. The applicant is ordered to be released on
regular bail in connection with FIR being
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R/CR.MA/15232/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/07/2026
C.R.No.11185001260313 of 2026 registered with Bhanvad
Police Station, Devbhoomi Dwarka, on executing a personal
bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand only) with one
surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court and
subject to the conditions that he/she shall;
(a) not take undue advantage of liberty or misuse liberty;
(b) not act in a manner injurious to the interest of the
prosecution & shall not obstruct or hamper the police
investigation and shall not to play mischief with the
evidence collected or yet to be collected by the police;
(c) surrender passport, if any, to the Trial Court within a
week;
(d) not leave the State of Gujarat without prior permission of
the Trial Court concerned;
(e) mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in
every month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m.
and 2.00 p.m.;
(f) furnish the Aadhaar card, email ID/present address of
his residence to the Investigating Officer and also to the
Court at the time of execution of the bond and shall not
change the residence/contact number without prior
permission of Trial Court;
(g) not to indulge in any illegal activity failing which learned
trial Court shall issue warrant and cancel the bail of the
applicant.
(h) not to enter into Porbandar for a period of six
months except for marking presence before the
concerned police station and/or for attending Court;
[9.0] The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not
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R/CR.MA/15232/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/07/2026
required in connection with any other offence for the time being. If
breach of any of the above conditions is committed, the Sessions
Judge concerned will be free to issue warrant or take appropriate
action in the matter.
[10.0] Bail bond to be executed before the lower Court having
jurisdiction to try the case. It will be open for the concerned Court
to delete, modify and/or relax any of the above conditions, in
accordance with law.
[11.0] At the trial, the trial Court shall not be influenced by the
observations of preliminary nature qua the evidence at this stage
made by this Court while enlarging the applicant on bail.
[12.0] Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service
is permitted.
(HASMUKH D. SUTHAR,J)
ILA
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: ILA PRAFULKUMAR PATEL(HC00194), Principal Pvt Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 09/07/2026 14:23:36
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