R/CR.MA/19494/2026(GJHC240627662026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER CHARGESHEET) NO. 19494 of 2026 ========================================================== KRUNALBHAI MANUBHAI PATEL Versus STATE OF GUJARAT ========================================================== Appearance: MR ADIL R MIRZA(2488) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MS MAITHILI MEHTA, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1 ========================================================== CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR Date : 21/08/2026 ORDER [1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State. [2.0] The present successive bail application is led under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No. 02 of 2026 registered with Navsari ACB Police Station, Navsari, for the o.ence under Sections 7, 13(1)(a) and 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act. [3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the o.ence. Investigation is over and chargesheet has been led. He is in jail since 01.06.2026. Even the voice spectography test has been done. Considering the nature of the o.ence, 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 and submitted that, merely chargesheet is led is not a ground to allow the regular bail. Though the applicant was public servant, demanded bribe from the complainant for performing his o8cial duty. Considering the same, he prays not to allow application. R/CR.MA/19494/2026(GJHC240627662026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026 [5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the accused in the alleged o.ence, 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) Investigation is over and charge-sheet is led; (2) None of the o.ence alleged is punishable with life sentence or death penalty (3) Allegation against the applicant is that, the applicant was serving as Addl. Asst. engineer, Construction Department, Vansda Taluka Panchayat, and complainant is Sarpanch of village Dubalfaliya and for passing the bill of Cricket Ground, the applicant being public servant demanded bribe of Rs.23,000/- (5% of sanctioned grant amount) from the complainant and after negotiation, nally Rs.16,000/- was xed. In this regard, FIR came to be lodged and arrested the applicant. (4) Applicant is behind the bars since 01.06.2026; (5) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant; (6) The applicant is not having any past antecedent; (7) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take some time. Page 2 of 4 R/CR.MA/19494/2026(GJHC240627662026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026 (8) Voice spectography test of the applicant has already been done. [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 further on merit, 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. 02 of 2026 registered with Navsari ACB Police Station, Navsari on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty- ve 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 to leave State of Gujarat without prior permission of the Trial Court concerned; (e) mark presence before the concerned police station once in a R/CR.MA/19494/2026(GJHC240627662026) ORDER DATED: 21/08/2026 month for a period of six months; (f) furnish the Aadhar card, email ID/present address of his residence to the Investigating O8cer 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) if the applicant is found to be indulged in any illegal activities in future, the trial Court concerned will be free to issue warrant and cancel the bail granted to the applicant. [9.0] The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in connection with any other o.ence 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 inJuenced 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 21/08/2026 15:32:22