R/CR.MA/18966/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER CHARGESHEET) NO. 18966 of 2026 ========================================================== ASHISHSINGH BALRAMSINGH BHARDORIYA Versus STATE OF GUJARAT ========================================================== Appearance: MR ZUBIN F BHARDA(159) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MR KANVA ANTANI, APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1 ========================================================== CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR Date : 14/08/2026 ORDER [1.0] RULE. Learned APP waives service of rule for the respondent-State. [2.0] The present application is 8led under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”) for regular bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.11199061260030 of 2026 registered with Ankleshwar City ‘B’ Division Police Station, District Bharuch for the oBences punishable under Sections 64(2)(j), 64(2)(m), 82(2), 351(3), 356(2) and 83 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNS”) and section 66(e) of the Information Technology Act, 2008. [3.0] Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the oBence and now nothing is required to be recovered or discovered. He therefore submits that, considering the nature of the oBence, 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 looking to the nature and gravity of the oBence. [5.0] While granting bail, the Court has to consider the involvement of the R/CR.MA/18966/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026 accused in the alleged oBence, 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) The allegation against the applicant is that initially the applicant developed friendship with the victim which thereafter turned into aBair and prior to May, 2025 the applicant and victim committed sexual intercourse and thereafter, with the consent of victim, applicant and victim went to diBerent places for tourism purposes and stayed at guest house at diBerent places including Uttar Pradesh during the period from March, 2025 to April, 2025 and it is alleged that present applicant though married entered into marital relationship with the victim and developed physical relations and after some time, the victim came to know about the fact that the applicant is already married and due to this reason, the complaint is 8led however, it is an admitted position on record that the victim, who is aged 25 years, was in consensual relationship with the applicant and voluntarily consented for sexual relationship with the applicant and even otherwise, now the investigation is over and charge-sheet is 8led; (2) Applicant is behind the bars since 27.01.2026; R/CR.MA/18966/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026 (3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant; (4) The applicant is not having any past antecedent; (5) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take some time; (6) This Court has relied on the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Naim Ahamed vs. State NCT of Delhi reported in 2023 SCC OnLine (SC) 89 as well as unreported decision of Bombay High Court in the case of Anurag Ravindra Umaley vs. The State of Maharashtra. [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 8t 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.11199061260030 of 2026 registered with Ankleshwar City ‘B’ Division Police Station, District Bharuch on executing a personal bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-8ve 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 & R/CR.MA/18966/2026 ORDER DATED: 14/08/2026 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 country without prior permission of the Trial Court concerned; (e) mark presence before the concerned Police Station once in a month for a period of six months between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.; (f) furnish the copy of Aadhaar card, email ID/contact number / permanent and present address of his residence to the Investigating OOcer and also to the Court at the time of execution of the bond and shall not change the residence and contact number/SIM card 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. (h) not to directly or indirectly contact the victim till the trial is over. [9.0] The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in connection with any other oBence 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 inPuenced 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.) Ajay Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge. Digitally signed by: AJAY CHANDRAN MENON(HC00939), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 14/08/2026 14:51:07