Section 497 in The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989 (1933 A. D.)
497. [ When bail may be taken in case of non-bailable offence. [This section was adopted by Law Deptt. Notification No. 14-L/84 dated 3rd Phagan, 1984, published in the Government Gazette dated 12th Phagan, 1984.]
(1)When any person accused of [or suspected of the commission of] any non-bailable offence is arrested or detained without warrant by an officer incharge of a police station, or appears or is brought before a Court, he may be released on bail, but he shall not be so released if there appear reasonable grounds for believing that he has been guilty of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life :Provided that the Court may direct that any person under the age of sixteen years of any woman or any sick or infirm person accused of such an offence be released on bail :[Provided further that the mere fact that an accused person may be required for being identified by witnesses during investigation shall not be sufficient ground for refusing to grant bail if he is otherwise entitled to be released on bail and given an undertaking that he shall comply with such directions as may be given by the Court.] [Proviso added by Act XXXVII of 1978, Section 68.](2)If it appears to such officer or Court at any stage of the investigation, inquiry or trial, as the case may be, that there are not reasonable grounds for believing that the accused has committed a non-bailable offence, but that there are sufficient grounds for further inquiry into his guilt the accused shall, pending such inquiry be released on bail, or, at the discretion of such officer or Court, on the execution by him of a bond without sureties for his appearance as hereinafter provided.[(2-a) When a person accused or suspected of the commission of an offence punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or more or of an offence under Chapter VI, Chapter XVI or Chapter XVII of the State Ranbir Penal Code, 1989, or abetment of, or conspiracy or attempt to commit, any such offence, is released on bail under sub-section (I), the Court may impose, any condition which the Court considers necessary-(a)in order to ensure that such person shall attend in accordance with the conditions of the bond executed under this Chapter ; or(b)in order to ensure that such person shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he is accused, or of the commission of which he is suspected ; or(c)otherwise in the interests of justice.](3)An officer or a Court releasing any person on bail under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall record in writing his or its reasons for so doing.[(3-a) If, in any case triable by a Magistrate, the trial of a person accused of any non-bailable offence is not concluded within a period of sixty days from the first date fixed for taking evidence in the case, such person shall if he is in custody during the whole of the said period, be released on bail to the satisfaction of the Magistrate, unless for reasons to be recorded in writing the Magistrate otherwise directs.] [Sub-section (3-a) section 497 inserted by Act XLII of 1956.](4)If, at any time after the conclusion of the trial of a person accused of a non-bailable offence and before judgment is delivered, the Court is of opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty of any such offence, it shall release the accused, if he is in custody, on the execution by him of a bond without sureties for his appearance to hear judgment delivered.(5)The High Court or Court of Session and, in the case of a person released by itself, any other Court may cause any person who has been released under this section to be arrested and may commit him to custody.] [Sub-section (2-a) inserted by Act XXXVII of 1978.]
