Allahabad High Court
Sompal Lodhi vs State Of U.P. on 1 April, 2025
Author: Deepak Verma
Bench: Deepak Verma
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD ?Neutral Citation No. - 2025:AHC:44870 Court No. - 67 Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 3400 of 2025 Applicant :- Sompal Lodhi Opposite Party :- State of U.P. Counsel for Applicant :- Sanjay Kumar Shukla Counsel for Opposite Party :- Bachan Singh,G.A. Hon'ble Deepak Verma,J.
1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant; learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record.
2. The instant bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant with a prayer to release him on bail in Case Crime No.129 of 2024, under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 386, 506, 120-B I.P.C., P.S. C.B. Ganj, District Bareilly, during pendency of the trial.
3. It is submitted by learned counsel for the applicant that applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He next argued that identically placed co-accused, namely, Subhash Lodhi has been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 19.03.2025 passed in Crl. Misc. Bail Application No. 7268 of 2025. He further submits that since the role of the applicant is not distinguishable with the role of co-accused, therefore, the applicant is also entitled to be enlarged on bail on the ground of parity. The applicant has criminal history of six cases which has been explained in para-19 of the bail application. He is languishing in jail since 31.07.2024. In case, he is released on bail, he will not misuse the liberty of bail and will cooperate in trial.
4. On the other hand, learned AGA opposed the prayer for bail but could not dispute the aforesaid facts.
5. Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the case, submissions of learned counsel for the parties and keeping in view the nature of offence, evidence, complicity of accused and the fact that the case of the applicant is similar to that of co-accused, who have been granted bail and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the Court is of the view that the applicant has made out a case for bail. The bail application is allowed.
6. Let the applicant, Sompal Lodhi be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned subject to following conditions. Further, before issuing the release order, the sureties be verified.
(i) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence by intimidating/ pressurizing the witnesses, during the investigation or trial.
(ii) The applicant shall cooperate in the trial sincerely without seeking any adjournment.
(ii) The applicant shall not indulge in any criminal activity or commission of any crime after being released on bail.
7. In case of breach of any of the above conditions, it shall be a ground for cancellation of bail.
Order Date :- 1.4.2025 Meenu Singh