Madhya Pradesh High Court
Harimohan Niranjan vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 5 October, 2020
Author: Vishal Mishra
Bench: Vishal Mishra
1
THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
MCRC.24672.2020.
(Harimohan Niranjan Vs. State of M.P. )
GWALIOR; dated 05.10.2020.
Shri Ravindra Dixit, learned counsel, for the applicant.
Shri R.K.Shrivastava, learned PL, for the respondent /State.
In the wake of unprecedented and uncertain situation due to outbreak of the Novel Corona virus (COVID-19) and considering the advisories issued by the Government of India, this application has been heard and decided through video conferencing to maintain social distancing. The parties are being represented by the respective counsels through video conferencing, following the norms of social distancing/ physical distancing in letter and spirit.
This is fourth bail application u/S.439 Cr.P.C filed by the applicant for grant of bail. Earlier two applications of the applicant were dismissed as withdrawn being M.Cr.C.No.52924 of 2019 and 8561 of 2019 vide orders dated 9.1.2020 and 26.2.2020 respectively.
The applicant has been arrested on 27.11.2019 by Police Station Lahar district Bhind, in connection with Crime No.345 of 2019 registered in relation to the offence punishable u/S.409, 420, 34 of IPC, 6 (1) Nikshepo Ke Hiton Ka Sanrakshan Adhiniyam, 2000.
It is submitted by counsel for the applicant that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the case and he has not committed any offence. It is submitted that charge sheet has been filed in the matter in the month of February, 2020. It is further submitted that co-accused Pradeep Dubey has already been released on bail vide order dated 24.2.2020 passed in M.Cr.C.No.8580 of 2020 and the case of applicant is almost identical to that 2 THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC.24672.2020.
(Harimohan Niranjan Vs. State of M.P. ) of said co-accused. It is further submitted that, earlier, the applicant was enlarged for 45 days in M.Cr.C.No.13119 of 2020 on 28.5.2020 for 45 days and he has not misused the liberty so extended to him and surrendered after expiry of period of 45 days. He is in custody since then. It is submitted that the applicant is not Director of the company. He is ready to abide with all the conditions which may be imposed by this court while considering this bail application. He expressed his willingness to serve the cause by making contribution of Rs.10,000/- to High Court Bar Association, Gwalior, during this Covid 19 Pandemic scenario.
Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the State has opposed the application pointing out the fact that the applicant is Director of the company/society. It is submitted that a production warrant was issued on 17.9.2020 for production of son of applicant Ashish Niranjan in the present case. It is submitted that Ashish Niranjan son of the present applicant is in custody in some other case. However, the factum of filing charge sheet and the applicant being first offender is not disputed by counsel for the State.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of IN RE : CONTAGION OF COVID 19 VIRUS IN PRISONS in SUO MOTU W.P. (C) No.1/2020 has issued directions to all the States to constitute a High Level Committee to consider the release of prisoners in order to decongest the prisons. The Supreme Court has observed as under :-
"The issue of overcrowding of prisons is a matter of serious concern particularly in the present context of the pandemic of Corona Virus (COVID - 19). Having regard to the provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, it has become imperative to ensure that the spread of the Corona Virus within the prisons is controlled. We direct that each State/Union Territory shall constitute a High Powered Committee comprising of (i) Chairman of the State Legal Services Committee, (ii) the Principal Secretary (Home/Prison) by whatever designation is known as, (ii) Director General of Prison(s), to determine which class of prisoners can be released on parole or an interim bail for such period as may be thought appropriate. For 3 THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC.24672.2020.
(Harimohan Niranjan Vs. State of M.P. ) instance, the State/Union Territory could consider the release of prisoners who have been convicted or are under trial for offences for which prescribed punishment is up to 7 years or less, with or without fine and the prisoner has been convicted for a lesser number of years than the maximum. It is made clear that we leave it open for the High Powered Committee to determine the category of prisoners who should be released as aforesaid, depending upon the nature of offence, the number of years to which he or she has been sentenced or the severity of the offence with which he/she is charged with and is facing trial or any other relevant factor, which the Committee may consider appropriate."
Considering the over all facts and circumstances of the case and the facts that the applicant is a first offender, charge sheet has already been filed way back in the month of February, 2020 and there is no further requirement of custodial interrogation of the applicant as well as looking to this Covid 19 Pandemic Scenario, this application is allowed. The applicant is directed to be released on bail subject to verification of the fact that no other criminal case is registered against the applicant and on furnishing surety bond of Rs.50,000/- (Rs. Fifty thousand Only) with one solvent surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of trial Court.
The applicant shall submit written undertaking that he will abide by all terms and conditions of the different circulars, orders as well as guidelines issued by the Central Government, State Government as well as Local Administration for maintaining social distancing, hygiene etc to avoid Novel Corona Virus (COVID -19) pandemic and they will have to install Arogya Setu App, if not already installed.
This order will remain operative subject to compliance of the following conditions by the applicant :-
1. The applicant will comply with all the terms and conditions of the bond executed by him;
2. The applicant will cooperate in the investigation/trial, as the case may be;
3. The applicant will not indulge himself in extending inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to the Police Officer, as the case may be;
4. The applicant shall not involve any other offence, in case the applicant indulges 4 THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC.24672.2020.
(Harimohan Niranjan Vs. State of M.P. ) in any other criminal case the benefit of bail as extended by this Court shall automatically cancelled.
5. The applicant will not seek unnecessary adjournments during the trial;
6. The applicant will not leave India without previous permission of the trial Court/Investigating Officer, as the case may be.
7. The applicant shall deposit Rs.10,000/- in the account of the High Court Bar Association, Gwalior within a period of seven working days from the date of release, for the purpose of assistance and rehabilitation of the members of the Bar, who are facing financial distress due to lock-down and restrictive functioning of the courts owing to ongoing Covid 19 Pandemic. This Court has no manner of doubt that the office bearers and the senior members of the Bar shall ensure that the donation reaches the rightful and deserving claimants.
8. The applicant shall mark his presence before the concerned Police Station i.e. PS Lahar, district Bhind in the first week of every month.
9. The applicant will inform the concerned S.H.O. of concerned Police Station about his residential address in the said area and it would be the duty of the Public Prosecutor to send E-copy of this order to SHO of concerned police station as well as Superintendent of Police concerned who shall inform the concerned SHO regarding the same.
Application stands allowed and stands disposed of.
The applicant shall install Arogya Setu App in his mobile immediately and would intimate their place of residence to the SHO of concerned Police Station; where they reside. Applicant shall further submits the undertaking to the effect that he will abide by the terms and conditions of different circulars, orders as well as guidelines issued by Central Government, State Government as well as Local Administration for maintaining social distancing, hygiene etc to avoid Novel Corona Virus (COVIC-19) pandemic.
In view of the COVID-19, jail authorities are directed that before releasing the applicant, medical examination of applicant shall be undertaken by the jail doctor and on prima facie, if it is found that he is having the symptoms of COVID-19, then consequential follow up action including the isolation/quarantine or any test if required, be ensured, otherwise applicant shall be released immediately on bail and shall be given a pass or permit for movement to reach his place of residence.
E-copy of this order be provided to the applicant and E-copy of this 5 THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH MCRC.24672.2020.
(Harimohan Niranjan Vs. State of M.P. ) order be sent to the trial Court concerned for compliance. It is made clear that E-copy of this order shall be treated as certified copy for practical purposes in respect of this order.
CC as per rules.
(Vishal Mishra)
Judge
RAM KUMAR
Rks. SHARMA
2020.10.05
16:58:27 +05'30'