Madhya Pradesh High Court
Lakhan Singh @ Ramlakhan vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 1 April, 2021
Author: Anand Pathak
Bench: Anand Pathak
1
HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
Cr.A.No.814/2021
(Lakhan Singh Vs. State of M.P.)
Gwalior Bench: Dated:.01.04.2021
Shri Sushil Goswami, learned counsel for the appellant.
Shri Indar Asthana, learned Panel Lawyer for the
respondent/State.
None for respondent No.2 though served/intimated. The appellant has filed this criminal appeal under Section 14-A(2) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 being aggrieved by order dated 27.08.2019, passed by Special Judge, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Bhind whereby, bail application under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. of appellant has been rejected.
Appellant has been arrested on 29.05.2019 by the Police Station Endori, District Bhind in connection with Crime No.65/2019, registered in relation to the offence punishable under Sections 376(D), 506 of IPC and Section 5/6 of POCSO Act and Section 3(2)(v) of SC/ST(Prevention of Atrocities) Act and 67-B of Information Technology Act.
It is the submission of learned counsel for the appellant that appellant is suffering confinement since 29.05.2019 and material prosecution witnesses including the prosecutrix and her family 2 members have been examined, therefore, chance of tampering with evidence/witness is remote. Even otherwise, looking to the period of custody and the fact that appellant does not bear any criminal record and because of protracted trial (he referred the proceedings of trial Court to demonstrate the said fact), whereby witnesses are not turning up for deposition, therefore, appellant seeks bail. It is further submitted that appellant learnt the lesson hard way and would mend his ways and would involve in community service also if this Court allows his appeal to purge his misdeeds if any.
Learned counsel for the State opposed the prayer on the ground that appellant is accused of offence under Section 376(D) of IPC and POSCO Act alongwith Section 67 (B)of I.T. Act. and looking to his conduct, his appeal be dismissed. Alternatively, Panel Lawyer submits that if bail is granted, then it may contain stringent conditions so that appellant may not have any chance to harass the prosecutrix in future. He also supported the cause of community service so that appellant may be involved in creative pursuits rather than intimidating the witnesses.
At this juncture, counsel for the appellant fairly submits that he is always ready to keep himself away from the prosecutrix and shall not move in her vicinity and willing to perform 3 community service voluntarily.
Heard learned counsel for the parties at length and considered the arguments advanced by them.
Considering the period of custody as well as the fact that material prosecution witnesses have been examined and trial may take some time to conclude, but without expressing any opinion on merits of the case, I deem it appropriate to allow this appeal and impugned order dated 27.08.2019 is set-aside, but with certain stringent conditions especially looking to the mandate of Apex Court in the case of Aparna Bhat Vs. State of M.P. reported in 2021 SCC Online 230. It is hereby directed that on furnishing bail bond of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lac Only) with two solvent sureties of Rs.50,000/- each to the satisfaction of trial Court appellant shall be released on bail. During the period of bail, the appellant shall keep himself away from the prosecutrix and her environment, and keep himself involved in some creative pursuits as per the spirit echoed in the order of Sunita Gandharva Vs. State of M.P. reported in 2020 (3) MPLJ(Cri.)247.
This order will remain operative subject to compliance of the following conditions by the appellant :-
1. The appellant will comply with all the terms and conditions of the bond executed by him;4
2. The appellant will cooperate in the investigation/trial, as the case may be;
3. The appellant will not indulge himself in extending inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to the Police Officer, as the case may be;
4. The appellant shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he is accused;
5. The appellant will not seek unnecessary adjournments during the trial;
6. The appellant will not leave India without previous permission of the trial Court/Investigating Officer, as the case may be;
7. Appellant shall not move in the vicinity of prosecutrix/complainant and shall not be a source of embarrassment and harassment to the complainant in any manner otherwise benefit of bail shall be immediately withdrawn.
8. The Station House Officer of the concerned Police Station is directed as follows:
1. The Station House Officer shall inform the victim about the release of the petitioner/appellant on bail and shall also supply a copy of this bail order to the victim.
2. In case of breach of any of the conditions of this order, the victim shall be free to report the matter to the Station House Officer of the concerned Police Station.
3. On receipt of any such complaint from the victim, the Station House Officer of the concerned police station, in turn, shall inform the Registry of this Court.
4. On receipt of information from the Station House 5 Officer as aforesaid, the Registry of this Court shall list this matter under caption "Directions" before the appropriate Bench.
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Certified copy as per rules/directions.
(Anand Pathak)
Ashish* Judge
ASHISH
CHAURASIA
2021.04.01
19:20:33
+05'30'