SAHIL @ MISTRI S/O AKBAR BABUBHAI GHANCHIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 38-RULE ABSOLUTE/ALLOWED @ FH
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The Court held that, on the facts, the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Summary
The applicant, Sahil @ Mistri, sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in connection with an FIR alleging offences under Sections 109(1), 189(2), 191(2), 191(3) and 3(5) of the same Act. The State and the complainant opposed the bail, arguing the seriousness of the charges. The Court examined factors such as the completion of substantial investigation, the applicant’s lack of prior record, the victim’s discharge, and the risk of pre‑trial detention amounting to a de facto conviction. Relying on Supreme Court precedents (Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Gudikanti Narasimhulu v. Public Prosecutor), the Court emphasized the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception, and the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty under Article 21. Consequently, the Court granted regular bail on a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with a surety and imposed standard conditions for the applicant’s conduct and reporting.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail can be granted under Section 483 BNSS before the filing of a chargesheet in the present case.
- Whether the nature of the alleged offences and the applicant’s personal circumstances justify the grant of bail.
- Whether the conditions imposed are sufficient to safeguard the investigation and trial process.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023s. 109(1), s. 189(2), s. 191(2), s. 191(3), s. 3(5), s. 483
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/17705/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/08/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE
CHARGESHEET) NO. 17705 of 2026
==========================================================
SAHIL @ MISTRI S/O AKBAR BABUBHAI GHANCHI
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT
==========================================================
Appearance:
RAFIK LOKHANDWALA(5590) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
TAHIR M SOLANKI(9018) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR K K BHATT(12899) for the Respondent(s) No. 1
MS PALAK G JADEJA(11163) for the Respondent(s) No. 1
MS SHRUTI PATHAK, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 13/08/2026
ORDER
[1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State and
Ms. Jadej, learned counsel waives for the complainant.
[2.0] The present application is 'led under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in
connection with FIR being C.R. No. 11191038260404 of 2026 registered
with Vatva Police Station, Ahmedabad City, for the o5ences under
Sections 109(1), 189(2), 191(2), 191(3) and 3(5) of the BNS.
[3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that
the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the o5ence.
Substantial part of investigation is over. Nothing is required to be recovered
or discovered. The applicant has no past antecedent. He is not named in the
FIR. He therefore submits that, considering the nature of the o5ence, the
applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable conditions.
[4.0] Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent-State and learned
counsel for the complainant have opposed the present application and
requested to dismiss the present application. Therefore, present application
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R/CR.MA/17705/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/08/2026
does not deserve consideration. A<davit 'led by the complainant opposing
bail application is taken on record.
[5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the
accused in the alleged o5ence, 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 01.06.2026;
(3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the
applicant;
(4) No past antecedent;
(5) Injured is out of danger and discharged from the hospital;
(6) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take
its own time.
(7) Allegation against the applicant is that, he has facilitated the
main accused to restrict if someone comes to rescue the
victim. He has not inEicted any blow.
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R/CR.MA/17705/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/08/2026
[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
't 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.
11191038260404 of 2026 registered with Vatva Police Station,
Ahmedabad City, on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees
Twenty-'ve 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 a week
till 'ling of the chargesheet and after 'ling of the chargesheet,
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R/CR.MA/17705/2026 ORDER DATED: 13/08/2026
mark presence before the concerned police station once in a
month for a period of six months; ;
(f) furnish the Aadhaar card, email ID/present address of his
residence to the Investigating O<cer 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 o5ence 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 inEuenced 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)
SUCHIT
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: PATEL SUCHIT JAYESHBHAI(HC01083), Private Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 13/08/2026 18:37:02
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