BHURABHAI @ BHARAT @ LANGDO S/O UDAJI NAVAJI DANGI (PATEL)versusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court held that regular bail should be granted, subject to stringent conditions, as the case meets the criteria for bail despite the seriousness of the charges.
Summary
The petitioner, Bhurabhai @ Bharat @ Langdo, filed a regular bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, after a charge‑sheet was filed for offences under Sections 65‑E, 81 and 98(2) of the Prohibition Act. He had been in custody since 3 May 2026 and claimed innocence, arguing that no further recovery or discovery was required. The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offences and the applicant’s 58 prior antecedents. The Court examined the established bail factors, noted that the investigation was complete, and relied on precedents such as Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor. Finding that pre‑trial detention would amount to a de facto conviction and that bail is the rule, the Court granted regular bail subject to a personal bond and several strict conditions.
Issues considered
- What is the appropriate discretion of the court in granting regular bail after a charge‑sheet for offences under the Prohibition Act?
- Do the nature of the offences, the applicant’s antecedents, and the risk of tampering justify denial of bail?
Legislation cited
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/16707/2026 ORDER DATED: 23/07/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER
CHARGESHEET) NO. 16707 of 2026
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BHURABHAI @ BHARAT @ LANGDO S/O UDAJI NAVAJI DANGI (PATEL)
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR ADILHUSHAIN M SAIYED(9723) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR ROHAN RAVAL, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 23/07/2026
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.III-320/2019 registered with Kapadwanj
Town Police Station, District Kheda for the offences under Sections 65-E,
81 and 98(2) of the Prohibition Act.
[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that
applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the offence and now
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 has
opposed the present application and requested to dismiss the present
application for regular bail looking to the nature and gravity of the offence.
[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
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R/CR.MA/16707/2026 ORDER DATED: 23/07/2026
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) Investigation is over and charge-sheet is filed;
(2) Applicant is behind the bars since 03.05.2026;
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant;
(4) Though applicant is having 58 past antecedents , he is presumed to
be innocent till proven guilty and can be considered by imposing
stringent condition;
(5) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take some
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
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R/CR.MA/16707/2026 ORDER DATED: 23/07/2026
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 C.R. No.III-320/2019
registered with Kapadwanj Town Police Station, District Kheda on
executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand
only) with ONE LOCAL SURETY of the like amount to the satisfaction of the
trial Court and subject to the conditions that he 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 country without prior permission of the Trial
Court concerned;
(e) mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a
month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00
p.m.;
(f) furnish the copy of Aadhaar card, email ID/contact number /
permanent and 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 and
contact number/SIM card without prior permission of Trial
Court;
(g) not to indulge in any illegal activity failing which learned trial
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R/CR.MA/16707/2026 ORDER DATED: 23/07/2026
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.)
Ajay
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: AJAY CHANDRAN MENON(HC00939), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 23/07/2026 14:51:55
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