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SUMMARY/GIST OF THE PAPERS ON
SUBJECT : Law relating to Bail.
1. Sections 436 to 439 Cr.P.C.
2. Section 167 (2) Cr.P.C. default bail.
INTRODUCTION
The Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 talks in details about the bail
process and how it is obtained. However, it does not define bail. Section 2(a)
Cr.P.C. says that bailable offence means an offence which is shown as
bailable in the First Schedule or which is made bailable by any other law for
the time being inforce, and non-bailable offense means any other offense.
Kinds of Bail
Broadly speaking there are three categories of bail and they are-
i] bail in bailable offences,
ii] bail in non bailable offences,
iii] anticipatory bail,
ANTICIPATORY BAIL
Previous cases:
Hon'ble Supreme Court in Maulana Mohmmad Amir Rishadi
vs. State of U.P. and another 2012(2) Mh. L. J. (Cri.) 412 held that, merely
on the basis of criminal antecedents, bail cannot be denied. In Sumit Vs.
State of U.P., 2010 Cri.L.J. 1435 (SC) it was held that even if there are other
criminal cases pending,accused should be granted bail.
Permission to go abroad
In Chandraswami and another, v. CBI .AIR 1998 SC 2679 It
was held that he may leave country after seeking permission of Court but the
reasons given by petitioner to go abroad namely to propagate Hindu religion
and for medical treatment were held to be unsatisfactory and permission to go
abroad was refused.
Monetory Surety
It was also held that undertaking by relatives is preferable over
monetory suretyship.[The State of Rajasthan, Jaipur v. Balchand, 1978
CrLJ 195 : 1977 CrLR (SC) 476 ]
Onerous condition:
Excessively onerous conditions for furnishing security of Rs. 1
Lac in cash or in fixed deposit virtually amount to denial of bail.[ Keshab
Narayan Banerjee and another v. The State of Bihar, 1985 CrLJ 1857 :
1985 AIR (SC) 1666 ; Munish Bhasin -Vs- State Government of Delhi,
AIR 2009 SC 2072.
[7]
Speaking order:
Order granting or refusing bail is not necessarily required to be
speaking order. [Jivaji Jedeja and others etc. v. State of Maharashtra and
others, 1987 CrLJ 1850 : 1987 AIR (SC) 1491].
Alteration of conditions
The Magistrate, who granted bail has power to cancel it or alter its
conditions. Brijesh Singh -Vs- State of Karnataka, 2002 Cri.L.J. 1362.
Compromise:
Bail cannot be granted on the assurance of compromise. It cannot
be canceled for violation of terms of compromise.[Binon Chatterjee vs.
Sanchita Chaterjee 2004 CRLJ 1451 [SC]
Accused to surrender
Prabhusingh Narendrasingh Walia versus State of Maharashtra
and another 2010 All.MR (Cri) 2737. In this case the Hon'ble Bombay High
Court, while entertaining an application under Section 437 of the Cr.P.C. held
that, “It was not incumbent upon the accused to surrender to the police,
accused can either surrender before the police or before the court and submit
to the jurisdiction of the court. Mere pendency of application for cancellation
of anticipatory bail in the High Court cannot be a ground for rejecting
application for regular bail."
Granting Bail:
Arnesh Kumar Vs. State of Bihar and Anr., III (2014) CCR
(SC). In this case it was held that that Police Officer need not arrest accused
unnecessarily and Magistrate should not authorize detention casually and
mechanically. The checklist under Section 41(b)(d)(ii) must be provided to
Police Officer, which shall be regularly filled and furnished with reasons and
materials necessitating the arrest. The Police Officer shall furnish the same
before Magistrate authorizing the detention. Failure to comply these
directions and conditions shall be liable to punish or contempt of Court.
Authorizing detention without recording reasons shall also be liable for
departmental action. It was clarified that these directions were applicable to
the cases in which offences are punishable for imprisonment which may be
less than 7 years or which may to the extent to 7 years.
Supreme Court was that gravity alone can not be decisive ground to deny
bail.
Cancellation Of Bail
The basic criteria for cancellation of bail are interference or even an
attempt to interfere with due course of Justice or any abuse of indulgence/
privilege granted to the accused. Ram Govind Upadhya Vs. Sudarshan
Singh, 2002 Cr.L.J 1849 (S.C.)
The power of the Court under the section to cancel bail can be invoked
either by the state itself or by any aggrieved party or even suo motu as held in
the case of Puran vs. Ramvilas AIR 2001 SC 2013.
As per Section 437 (5) of Cr.P.C. any Court which has released a
person on bail may, if it considered it necessary so to do, cancel the bail and
direct that such person be arrested and committed to custody. In R.J Sharma
Vs. R.P. Patankar 1993 Cri.L.J. 1993 [Bombay], it is held that Magistrate
ought to pursue the application for cancellation of bail and afford an
opportunity to accused to be heard.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that once bail has been granted, it
can only be cancelled based on cogent and overwhelming circumstances.
Proceedings for the cancellation of bail are not in the nature of an appeal from
the grant of bail, and therefore, a court must look for circumstances that
warrant cancellation of bail, such as interference or attempt to interfere with
[10]
If the interim bail was not granted to the applicant and main
application is rejected, then he is not entitled to get the interim protection till
approaching, the superior court. Successive applications for anticipatory bail
after rejection of earlier application, would be tenable in law, but for that there
must be change in circumstances. (Kamlesh ..vs.. State of Maharashtra
2007 (2) Mh.L.J. 850 )
Code. Section 344 could be invoked only after a Magistrate had taken
cognizance of an offence after receiving final report under Section 173. Once
granted, this led to lethargy in the investigation of cases resulting in accused
languishing in custody for long periods. Consequently, a time limit of 60
days with a provision for its extension under certain circumstances was fixed
by adding proviso (a) to sub-section (2) of Section 167 of the Code of 1973.
This was hampering serious cases involving sentence of death, imprisonment
for life etc. Consequently, certain amendments were effected to the proviso to
Section 167(2) by means of Act 45 of 1978. Where the investigation relates to
an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a
term of not less than 10 years was raised to 90 days, while in other cases the
earlier limit of 60 days was retained. Instead of the words "under this
section" occurring in the old proviso, the words "under this paragraph", were
substituted. Explanation 1 to the proviso was added to highlight the statutory
right of bail under clause (a) of the proviso was restricted only to those
accused persons who are in a position to furnish bail. Provision of Section
(2A) whereby Executive Magistrates, on whom the powers of a Judicial
Magistrate have been conferred, have also been empowered to order remand
for a term not exceeding 7 days in the aggregate, wherever Judicial
Magistrates are not available.
COMPUTATION OF PERIOD
RELEVANT CASES
Further, the Magistrate has to decide the application for the bail, if
filed on the same day and it cannot adjourn the matter because it frustrates the
legislative mandate as held in case between Union of India through C.B.I. Vs.
Nirala Yadav alias Raja Ram Yadav alias Deepak Yadav, 2014 Cri. L.J.
3952.
If Bail application under section 167(2) and charge sheet are filed
on the same day, time for filing application is crucial and not when Magistrate
considered it. (Jitendra Maroti Deotare & anr., vs. State of Maharashtra,
2009(2) Bom.C.R (Cri) 687) Meaning of the term “ if not availed of ” was
explained .
It is well settled that, even if 90th day is a Sunday, the Police must
arrange to see that the charge sheet is filed if not on 90th day but on 89th day.
If the last day, as the case may be happens to be holiday or non-working day,
then in that circumstances also Court is bound to accept the charge sheet. In
other words, presentation of such charge sheet cannot be refused.(Naresh @
Nana Vs. State of Maharashtra, 1999 (3) Mh. L. J 631).
prisoner with a view to enable him to apply for bail in exercise of his right
under proviso (a) to sub section (2) of S.167 and the Magistrate must take
care to see that the right of the under trial prisoner to the assistance of a
lawyer provided at State costs is secured to him.”
To conclude, the conjoint reading of sec. 167 (2) and 172 (1)& (2)
of the Code provides that, the investigation should be done expeditiously
which would benefit the accused and the state.
make out a “special case” for the exercise of the power to grant anticipatory
bail. This virtually, reduces the salutary power conferred by Section 438 CrPC
to a dead letter. A person seeking anticipatory bail is still a free man entitled
to the presumption of innocence. He is willing to submit to restraints and
conditions on his freedom, by the acceptance of conditions which the court
may deem fit to impose, in consideration of the assurance that if arrested, he
shall be enlarged on bail.
CONCLUSION
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[21]
Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 363, 369, 376, 394, 302 and
201--Kidnapping, rape, murder, etc.--Of six years old girl--Conviction and
death sentence by trial court--But acquittal by High Court--Accused-
respondent acquitted by giving him benefit of doubt--Prosecution's case
mainly rest on testimony of P.W. 2, P.W. 5 and P.W. 6--Glaring
inconsistencies and infirmities in statement of above witnesses--Their
statements rendered suspicious and accordingly unreliable--Investigating
[22]
(i) Even before the registration of FIR the inquest was undertaken and the
postmortem was conducted. In this case, the assault was made right in the
Courtroom which called for immediate action on part of the investigators to
clear the Courtroom as early as possible. The Investigating Officer had
initially requested the Presiding Officer to lodge a complaint. Upon his
refusal, the Investigating Officer then had to make enquiries and record the
complaint. In the meantime, if inquest was undertaken and the body was sent
for post-mortem, no infraction which should entail discarding of the entire
case of prosecution. No wrong if the first informant soon after the recording
of the assailant corrected himself, as a result of which name of the third
assailant came to be dropped. The version coming from the eye witnesses
inspired confidence and was well corroborated by the material on record.
[23]
(ii) The presence of a Police Officer who was required to give evidence in the
adjoining Court, was quite natural. In case of any commotion as a result of
any assault, a trained
of the prosecution and a counsel of a private party can only assist the Public
Prosecutor in discharging its responsibility. The complainant or informant or
aggrieved party may, however, be heard at a crucial and critical juncture of
the Trial so that his interests in the prosecution are not prejudiced or
jeopardized. It seems to us that constant or even frequent interference in the
prosecution should not be encouraged as it will have a deleterious impact on
its impartiality. If the Magistrate or Sessions Judge harbours the opinion that
the prosecution is likely to fail, prudence would prompt that the complainant
or informant or aggrieved party be given an informal hearing. Reverting to
the case in hand, we are of the opinion that the complainant or informant or
aggrieved party who is himself an accomplished criminal lawyer and who
has been represented before us by the erudite Senior Counsel, was not
possessed of any vested right of being heard as it is manifestly evident that
the Court has not formed any opinion adverse to the prosecution. Whether
the Accused is to be granted bail is a matter which can adequately be argued
by the State Counsel. We have, however, granted a full hearing to Mr. Gopal
Subramanium, Senior Advocate and have perused detailed Written
Submissions since we are alive to impact that our opinion would have on a
multitude of criminal trials.
"As soon as any information regarding any accident involving death or bodily
injury to any person is recorded or report under this section is completed by a
police officer, the officer-in-charge of the police station shall forward a copy
of the same within thirty days from the date of recording of information or, as
the case may be, on completion of such report to the Claims Tribunal having
jurisdiction and a copy thereof to the concerned insurer, and where a copy is
made available to the owner, he shall also within thirty days of receipt of such
report, forward the same to such Claims Tribunal and insurer".
Sub-section (4) of Section 166 of the Act reads thus:- "The Claims Tribunal
shall treat any report of accidents forwarded to it under sub-section (6) of
Section 158 as an application for compensation under this Act".
[26]
Rule 150 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 prescribes the form (No.54)
of the Police Report required to be submitted under section 158(6) of the Act.
4.3) This Court in General Insurance Council v. State of A.P. [2007 (12) SCC
354] emphasized the need for implementing the aforesaid provisions. This
Court directed:
"It is, therefore, directed that all the State Governments and the Union
Territories shall instruct all police officers concerned about the need to
comply with the requirement of Section 158(6) keeping in view the
requirement indicated in Rule 150 and in Form 54, Central Motor Vehicles
Rules, 1989. Periodical checking shall be done by the Inspector General of
Police concerned to ensure that the requirements are being complied with. In
case there is non-compliance, appropriate action shall be taken against the
erring officials. The Department of Road Transport and Highways shall make
periodical verification to ensure that action is being taken and in case of any
deviation immediately bring the same to the notice of the State
Governments/Union Territories concerned so that necessary action can be
taken against the officials concerned."
4.4) But unfortunately neither the police nor the Motor Accidents Claims
Tribunals have made any effort to implement these mandatory provisions of
the Act. If these provisions are faithfully and effectively implemented, it will
be possible for the victims of accident and/or their families to get
compensation, in a span of few months. There is, therefore, an urgent need for
the concerned police authorities and Tribunals to follow the mandate of these
provisions.
Problem (iv)
5. Courts have always been concerned that the full compensation amount does
not reach and benefit the victims and their families, particularly those who are
uneducated, ignorant, or not worldly-wise. Unless there are built-in
safeguards they may be deprived of the benefit of compensation which may
be the sole source of their future sustenance. This court has time and again
insisted upon measures to ensure that the compensation amount is
appropriately invested and protected and not frittered away owing to
ignorance, illiteracy and susceptibility to exploitation. [See Union Carbide
Corporation v. Union of India - 1991 (4) SCC 584 and General Manager,
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation v. Susamma Thomas - 1994 (2)
SCC 176]. But in spite of the directions in these cases, the position continues
to be far from unsatisfactory and in many cases unscrupulous relatives, agents
and touts are taking away a big chunk of the compensation, by ingenious
methods. Reports of Amicus Curiae
158 (6) of the Act as applications for compensation under Section 166 (4) of
the Act and deal with them without waiting for the filing of claim applications
by the injured or by the family of the deceased. The Registrar General shall
ensure that necessary Registers, forms and other support is extended to the
Tribunal to give effect to Section 166 (4) of the Act.
13. For complying with section 166(4) of the Act, the jurisdictional Motor
Accident Claims Tribunals shall initiate the following steps:
(a) The Tribunal shall maintain an Institution Register for recording the AIRs
which are received from the Station House Officers of the Police Stations and
register them as miscellaneous petitions. If any private claim petitions are
directly filed with reference to an AIR, they should also be recorded in the
Register.
(b) The Tribunal shall list the AIRs as miscellaneous petitions. It shall fix a
date for preliminary hearing so as to enable the police to notify such date to
the victim (family of victim in the event of death) and the owner, driver and
insurer of the vehicle involved in the accident. Once the claimant/s appear, the
miscellaneous application shall be converted to claim petition. Where a
claimant/s file the claim petition even before the receipt of the AIR by the
Tribunal, the AIR may be tagged to the claim petition.
(c) The Tribunal shall enquire and satisfy itself that the AIR relates to a real
accident and is not the result of any collusion and fabrication of an accident
(by any `Police Officer - Advocate – Doctor' nexus, which has come to light
in several cases).
(d) The Tribunal shall by a summary enquiry ascertain the dependent family
members/legal heirs. The jurisdictional police shall also enquire and submit
the names of the dependent legal heirs.
(e) The Tribunal shall categories the claim cases registered, into those where
the insurer disputes liability and those where the insurer does not dispute the
liability.
13. For complying with section 166(4) of the Act, the jurisdictional Motor
Accident Claims Tribunals shall initiate the following steps:
(a) The Tribunal shall maintain an Institution Register for recording the AIRs
which are received from the Station House Officers of the Police Stations and
register them as miscellaneous petitions. If any private claim petitions are
directly filed with reference to an AIR, they should also be recorded in the
Register.
(b) The Tribunal shall list the AIRs as miscellaneous petitions. It shall fix a
date for preliminary hearing so as to enable the police to notify such date to
the victim (family of victim in the event of death) and the owner, driver and
insurer of the vehicle involved in the accident. Once the claimant/s appear, the
miscellaneous application shall be converted to claim petition. Where a
claimant/s file the claim petition even before the receipt of the AIR by the
Tribunal, the AIR may be tagged to the claim petition.
(c) The Tribunal shall enquire and satisfy itself that the AIR relates to a real
accident and is not the result of any collusion and fabrication of an accident
(by any `Police Officer - Advocate – Doctor' nexus, which has come to light
in several cases).
(d) The Tribunal shall by a summary enquiry ascertain the dependent family
members/legal heirs. The jurisdictional police shall also enquire and submit
the names of the dependent legal heirs.
(e) The Tribunal shall categories the claim cases registered, into those where
the insurer disputes liability and those where the insurer does not dispute the
liability.
(f) Wherever the insurer does not dispute the liability under the policy, the
Tribunal shall make an endeavour to determine the compensation amount by a
summary enquiry or refer the matter to the Lok Adalat for settlement, so as to
dispose of the claim petition itself, within a time frame not exceeding six
months from the date of registration of the claim petition.
(g) The insurance companies shall be directed to deposit the admitted amount
or the amount determined, with the claims tribunals within 30 days of
determination. The Tribunals should ensure that the compensation amount is
kept in Fixed deposit and disbursed as per the directions contained in General
Manager, KSRTC v. Susamma Thomas [1994 (2) SCC 176].
(i) The fixed deposit shall be automatically renewed till the period prescribed
by the Court.
(iii) The monthly interest shall be credited automatically in the saving account
of the claimant.
(iv) Original fixed deposit receipt shall be retained by the Bank in safe
custody. However, the original passbook shall be given to the claimant along
with the photocopy of the FDR.
(v) The original fixed deposit receipt shall be handed over to the claimant at
the end of the fixed deposit period.
(vi) Photo identity card shall be issued to the claimant and the withdrawal
shall be permitted only after due verification by the Bank of the identity card
of the claimant.
(vii) No cheque book shall be issued to the claimant without permission of the
court.
(ix) The claimant can operate the saving bank account from the nearest
branch of UCO Bank and on the request of the claimant, the bank shall
provide the said facility.
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