R/CR.MA/9534/2025 ORDER DATED: 08/05/2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL) NO. 9534 of 2025 ========================================================== AJAYBHAI PRAKASHBHAI THAKAR Versus STATE OF GUJARAT ========================================================== Appearance: MR.SHATRUGHN S SONI(17589) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MR PRANAV DHAGAT, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1 ========================================================== CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR Date : 08/05/2025 ORAL ORDER RULE. Learned APP waives service of notice of Rule for and on behalf of the respondent No.1 – State of Gujarat. [1.0] By way of the present application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”), the applicant has prayed for anticipatory bail in the event of arrest in connection with the FIR being C.R. No. 11193003201295 of 2020 registered with Amreli City Police Station, Dist. Amreli, for the offences punishable under Sections 193, 196, 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 177, 120B, 34 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. [2.0]The learned advocate for the applicant submits that the applicant is not connected to the alleged offence. The applicant is a practicing advocate with no criminal antecedents. He has filed an application before the Court for the release of the muddamal at the instance of the accused. The applicant is acquainted with the party only as a result of receiving an online application during the Covid-19 pandemic, in accordance with the guidelines in place at the time. He rendered his professional services based on the documents submitted by the client. There is now no further requirement to recover or discover anything from the accused. During the pendency of the R/CR.MA/9534/2025 ORDER DATED: 08/05/2025 quashing petition, he has joined the investigation and his statement is also recorded that he has joined the investigation. Now, nothing is required to be recovered and discovered from the accused. Further, he is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when required. Therefore, custodial interrogation at this stage is not necessary. Besides, the applicant is available during the course of investigation and will not flee from justice. In view of the above, the applicant may be granted anticipatory bail. [3.0] The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent – State has opposed the grant of anticipatory bail, considering the nature and gravity of the offence. It is contended that the present applicant is named in the FIR and his name appeared during the inquiry. Subsequently, in collusion and connivance with the co-accused, the applicant forged documents, including the Aadhar Card, in order to transfer the vehicle to a third party. The statement of the Notary has also been recorded in this regard. It was further pointed out that the applicant has a loan, and his quashing petition was withdrawn. In view of these facts, custodial interrogation is necessary. Therefore, the application does not merit consideration. [4.0] Having heard the learned advocate for the parties and perusing the investigation papers, it is equally incumbent upon the Court to exercise its discretion judiciously, cautiously and strictly in compliance with the basic principles laid down in a plethora of decisions of the Hon’ble Apex Court on the point. It is well settled that, among other circumstances, the factors to be borne in mind while considering an application for bail are (i) the nature and gravity of the accusation; (ii) the antecedents of the applicant including the fact as to whether he has previously undergone imprisonment on conviction by a Court in respect of any cognizable offence; (iii) the possibility of the applicant to flee from justice; and (iv) where the accusation has been made with the object of injuring or humiliating the applicant by having him so arrested. Though at the stage of granting bail an elaborate examination R/CR.MA/9534/2025 ORDER DATED: 08/05/2025 of evidence and detailed reasons touching the merit of the case, which may prejudice the accused, should be avoided. I have considered the following aspects. (1) The applicant has no past antecedent; (2) The present applicant is a practicing advocate who submitted an online application for obtaining the muddamal. He was merely discharging his professional duty by processing the documents received from his client. Even during the pendency of the quashing petition, he was protected since 24.08.2020 and enjoyed interim relief during this period. Subsequently, which came to be withdrawn; (3) No allegation of criminal breach of trust or cheating is there; (4) Applicant has already joined the investigation; (5) Case is based on documentary evidence; (6) Present applicant has already joined the investigation; [5.0] Considering the aforesaid aspects and the law laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre vs. State of Maharashtra and Ors. reported in (2011) 1 SCC 6941, wherein the Hon’ble Apex Court reiterated the law laid down by the Constitution Bench in the case of Shri Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia & Ors. reported in (1980) 2 SCC 665 and also the decision in the case of Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) reported in (2020) 5 SCC 1, I am inclined to allow the present application. [6.0] In the result, the present application is allowed by directing that in the event of arrest / appearance of the applicant in connection with C.R. No. 11193003201295 of 2020 registered with Amreli City Police Station, Dist. reported in (1980) 2 SCC 665 and also the decision in the case of Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) reported in (2020) 5 SCC 1, I am inclined to allow the present application. [6.0] In the result, the present application is allowed by directing that in the event of arrest / appearance of the applicant in connection with C.R. No. 11193003201295 of 2020 registered with Amreli City Police Station, Dist. Amreli, the applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) with one surety of like amount on the following conditions that applicant: (a) shall cooperate with the investigation and make himself available for interrogation whenever required; R/CR.MA/9534/2025 ORDER DATED: 08/05/2025 (b) shall remain present at the concerned Police Station on 15.05.2025 between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. and the IO shall ensure that no unnecessary harassment or inconvenience is caused to the applicant; (c) shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the fact of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police officer; (d) shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation and not to play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to be collected by the police; (e) shall at the time of execution of bond, furnish the address to the investigating officer and the court concerned and shall not change her/his residence till the final disposal of the case till further orders; (f) shall not leave India without the permission of the Court and if having passport shall deposit the same before the Trial Court within a week; (g) an order of anticipatory bail does not in any manner limit or restrict the rights or duties of the police or investigative agency, to investigate into the charges against the person who seeks and is granted pre-arrest bail; (h) It is open to the police or the investigating agency to move the learned trial Court for a direction under Section 483(2) to arrest the accused, in the event of violation of any term, such as absconding, non-cooperating during investigation, evasion, intimidation or inducement to witnesses with a view to influence outcome of the investigation or trial, etc.- [7.0] At the trial, the Trial Court shall not be influenced by the prima facie observations made by this Court while enlarging the applicant on bail. [8.0] Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Application is disposed of accordingly. Direct service is permitted. (HASMUKH D. SUTHAR,J) KUMAR ALOK Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge. Digitally signed by: ALOK KUMAR(HC01091), PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 08/05/2025 18:48:17