1. Leave granted.

2. The High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital, by the impugned judgment and order dated 01st December, 2025, has rejected the appellant's second prayer for grant of regular bail.

3. Appellant, figuring as an accused in FIR No.0015 of 2024 dated 17th August, 2024 registered at Police Station Satkarta (Vigilance) Sector Haldwani, District Nainital, Uttarakhand under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was arrested on 17th August, 2024.

4. We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

5. Chargesheet has been filed on 16th October, 2024 and charges have been framed on 27th August, 2025. Prosecution proposes to examine 18 witnesses to drive home the charges against the appellant, out of whom evidence of only 03 witnesses appear to have been recorded till date. Thus, the trial is likely to take some time to conclude.

6. It is also not disputed that the appellant does not have any criminal antecedent.

7. Taking an overall view of the matter, we are of the considered opinion that further detention of the appellant pending trial is not necessary; and, since the appeal deserves acceptance, the appellant may be admitted to an order for grant of bail.

8. Accordingly, we set aside the impugned judgment and order.

9. Appellant shall be released on bail, subject to furnishing of bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court and subject to such other terms and conditions as may be imposed by it.

10. Needless to observe, the appellant shall not, directly or indirectly, by making inducement, threat or promise, dissuade any person acquainted with the facts of the case from disclosing such facts to the court.

11. In the event there is any breach of the terms and conditions for grant of bail, the trial court shall be at liberty to cancel the bail of the appellant.

12. It is also ordered that the appellant shall diligently attend proceedings of the trial, unless exempted. If he abstains from attending the proceedings without justifiable cause, that could also be seen as breach of the conditions for grant of bail and the trial court will be free to pass appropriate orders.

13. We clarify that the observations made in this order and grant of bail will not be treated as findings on the merits of the case.

14. The appeal is, accordingly, allowed on the aforesaid terms.

15. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.