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CDJ 2026 GHC 206
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| Court : High Court Of Gujarat At Ahmedabad |
| Case No : R/Criminal Appeal (Regular Bail) No. 1148 Of 2026 |
| Judges: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIRAL R. MEHTA |
| Parties : Nathubhai Surabhai @Ahivabhai Bharwad Versus State Of Gujarat & Another |
| Appearing Advocates : For the Appellant: B.N. Limbachia(3454), Nishith K. Joshi(9193), Advocates. For the Respondents: Dharmesh Dhabi, Advocate, Utkarsh Sharma, Additional Public Prosecutor. |
| Date of Judgment : 22-05-2026 |
| Head Note :- |
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 - Section 14A(2) -
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| Summary :- |
1. Statutes / Acts / Rules / Orders / Regulations, and Sections Mentioned:
- Section 14A(2) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- Sections 75(2), 78, 137(2), and 352 of BNS Act
- Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(w), 3(1)(w)(ii), 3(2)(va) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- Sanjay Chandra Vs. Central Bureau of Investigation, reported in [2012] 1 SCC
2. Catch Words:
- regular bail
- settlement
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- BNS Act
- investigation
- charge‑sheet
3. Summary:
The applicant sought regular bail under Section 14A(2) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 for offences under the BNS Act and the SC/ST Act. The State opposed bail citing the gravity of the offences. The court noted that the applicant had been in custody since 17 March 2026, the investigation was complete, and a charge‑sheet filed. The complainant affirmed an amicable settlement via affidavit. Considering the magistrate‑triable nature of the offences, the completed investigation, and the settlement, the court exercised its discretion to grant regular bail. Conditions were imposed, including a personal bond of Rs. 10,000 with a surety, surrender of passport, residence reporting, and compliance with police verification. The order also directed that the trial court not be influenced by these observations and that the rule be made absolute.
4. Conclusion:
Petition Allowed |
| Judgment :- |
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Oral Order
Rule returnable forthwith. Learned A.P.P. waives service of notice of Rule for the respondent - State of Gujarat.
[1] The present application is filed under Section 14A(2) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.11204045260116 of 2026 registered with Nadiad Rural Police Station, District - Kheda for offences under Sections 75(2), 78, 137(2), and 352 of BNS Act as well as under Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(w), 3(1)(w)(ii), 3(2)(va) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
[2] Learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that considering the nature of the offence, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail by imposing suitable conditions.
[3] Learned APP appearing on behalf of the respondent - State has opposed grant of regular bail looking to the nature and gravity of the offence.
[4] Learned Advocates appearing on behalf of the respective parties do not press for further reasoned order.
[5] Having heard the learned advocates for the parties and perusing the material placed on record and taking into consideration the facts of the case, nature of allegations, gravity of offences, role attributed to the accused, without discussing the evidence in detail, this Court is of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicant on regular bail.
[6] This Court has considered following aspects,
(a) The applicant is in jail since 17.03.2026.
(b) The investigation is over and the charge-sheet has been filed.
(c) Since the investigation is over, no further recovery or discovery made from the present applicant, thus, no further custodial interrogation is required.
(d) Considering the peculiar fact the complainant namely, Maaahiben D/o Manish Kumar Laxmanbhai Makwana is present and by way of affidavit stated that an amicable settlement has been arrived and now no grievance survive and therefore, no objection if the bail is granted. The same is taken on record. Learned advocate Mr. Dharmesh Dhabi appearing on behalf of the complainant has also confirmed the settlement.
(d) Considering the offence alleged and the punishment prescribed, the offences are magistrate triable and the trial may take its own course and even no fruitful purpose would be achieved by keeping the applicant in jail.
(e) In the facts and circumstances of the present case and considering the role attributed to the applicant and the allegations levelled against him, the case of the applicant deserves consideration and, therefore, I am inclined to consider the case of the applicant.
[7] 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
[8] Hence, the present application is allowed. The applicant is ordered to be released on regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.11204045260116 of 2026 registered with Nadiad Rural Police Station, District - Kheda on executing a personal bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with one 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;
[c] surrender passport, if any, to the lower court within a week;
[d] not leave the India without prior permission of the concerned trial court;
[e] mark presence before the concerned Police Station between 1st to 10th day of every English calendar month for a period of six months between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.;
[f] furnish the present address of residence to the Investigating Officer and also to the Court at the time of execution of the bond and shall not change the residence without prior permission of the concerned trial court;
[9] The authorities shall 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. 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.
[10] At the trial, the Trial Court shall not be influenced by the prima facie observations made by this Court in the present order.
[11] Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service is permitted.
[12] Registry to communicate this order to the concerned Court/authority by Fax or Email forthwith.
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