MITALBEN NIKUNJBHAI TRIVEDIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court held that, on the facts and in view of the statutory and jurisprudential principles, regular bail must be granted to the applicant.
Summary
The applicant, Mitalben Nikunjbai Trivedi, sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in connection with an FIR (C.R.No.11208003250715/2025) alleging offences under Sections 420 and 120(B) of the IPC. The State opposed the bail, arguing the seriousness of the alleged fraud and the applicant's involvement. The Court examined the statutory factors for bail, including the nature of the accusation, risk of witness tampering, likelihood of absconding, and the applicant's antecedents, and noted that the investigation was complete and the charge‑sheet filed. Relying on Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor), the Court held that continued pre‑trial detention would amount to a de facto conviction and that bail is a rule, jail an exception. Consequently, the Court granted regular bail on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with a surety and imposed standard conditions, directing that the bail be executed before the trial court.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail may be granted under Section 483 BNSS, 2023 in a case involving alleged fraud and criminal conspiracy (IPC 420, 120B).
- Whether the nature of the offence, risk of witness tampering, and possibility of abscondence justify denial of bail.
- Whether the principles laid down in Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor apply to the present bail application.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023s. 483
- Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 120B, s. 420
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/16070/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER CHARGESHEET)
NO. 16070 of 2026
==========================================================
MITALBEN NIKUNJBHAI TRIVEDI
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
VASIMRAJA A KURESHI(8609) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR KANVA ANTANI, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 14/08/2026
ORDER
Mr. Yash V. Gupta, learned advocate appearing for Mr.
Vishal K. Anandjiwala submits that they have instructions to
appear on behalf of the complainant and he has opposed the
present application and tendered an affidavit on record.
They are permitted to file their appearance and affidavit is
taken on record.
[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.11208003250715 of 2025 registered with
Gandhigram-2 University Police Station, Rajkot, for the
offences under Sections 420 and 120(B) of the IPC..
[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
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R/CR.MA/16070/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026
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
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.
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Following aspects have been considered:
(1) Investigation is over and charge-sheet is filed;
(2) Applicant is behind the bar since 07.04.2026;
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from
the applicant;
(4) The allegation against the present applicant is that,
on the pretext of inducing the complainant to invest money
in Marwadi Finance Services Limited, the applicant, along
with the other co-accused, lured the complainant into
investing a sum of ₹25.00 lakh. Out of the said amount,
the accused persons returned only ₹89,000/-, while the
remaining balance amount was not repaid to the
complainant. The specific role attributed to the present
applicant is that she was one of the conspirators and was
present at the office when the transaction/dealing took
place.
(5) Though the applicant is having past antecedent, he is
presumed to be innocent till proven guilty;.
(6) Prosecution has failed to point out the circumstances
to continue or prolong his incarceration;
(7) 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
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R/CR.MA/16070/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026
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
C.R.No.11208003250715 of 2025 registered with
Gandhigram-2 University Police Station, Rajkot 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
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R/CR.MA/16070/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026
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.
[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 14/08/2026 15:52:10
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