High Court of Gujarat
THAKOR CHETANBHAI GIRISHBHAIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court held that the applicant is entitled to regular bail as the offence is non‑capital, the investigation is largely complete, and bail is a rule, not an exception.
Summary
The applicant sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in connection with an FIR alleging possession of 1,231 bottles of contraband liquor under Sections 65(a)(e), 116‑B and 81 of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. The State opposed bail, arguing the applicant’s involvement and the gravity of the offence. The Court examined factors such as the nature of the accusation, the stage of investigation, the non‑capital nature of the offence, and the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception, citing Supreme Court precedents. Finding that the investigation was substantially complete, no material needed to be recovered from the applicant, and the offence did not attract life imprisonment or death, the Court deemed the applicant eligible for bail. Accordingly, the Court granted regular bail on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with a surety and imposed standard conditions, directing that any breach could lead to cancellation of bail.
Issues considered
- Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 considering the nature and severity of the offences under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
- Whether the stage of investigation and the absence of any material to be recovered justify granting bail.
- Whether the principles laid down in Supreme Court decisions on bail (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor) apply to the present case.
Legislation cited
Subjects
regular bailpre‑trial detentioncontraband liquorSection 483 BNSSGujarat Prohibition ActArticle 21bail jurisprudence
Judgment
R/CR.MA/15805/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/07/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
CHARGESHEET) NO. 15805 of 2026
==========================================================
THAKOR CHETANBHAI GIRISHBHAI
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR M.NISAR VAIDHYA(3386) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR MOHDDANISH M BAREJIA(10612) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MS SHRUTI PATHAK, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 13/07/2026
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.
11191015260224 of 2026 registered with Nikol Police
Station, Ahmedabad for the offences under Sections 65(a)(e),
116-B, 81 of the 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. 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.
[4.0] Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State
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R/CR.MA/15805/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/07/2026
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 and
considering the gravity of offence, no case is made out to
entertain present bail application. 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:
(1) Substantial part of investigation is over ;
(2) Applicant is behind the bar since 23.06.2026;
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R/CR.MA/15805/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/07/2026
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from
the applicant;
(4) Offence is triable by JMFC Court and none of the
offence alleged is punishable with life sentence or death
penalty ;
(5) The allegations against the present applicant are that
1,231 bottles of contraband liquor were recovered from his
possession.
(6) Though the applicant has past antecedent, but he
presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
(8) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will
take its own time.
[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
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R/CR.MA/15805/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/07/2026
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 C.R. No.
11191015260224 of 2026 registered with Nikol Police
Station, Ahmedabad 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
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R/CR.MA/15805/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/07/2026
applicant.
[9.0] The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not
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)
ALI
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: ISTAYAK ALI(HC01093), PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 13/07/2026 14:34:33
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