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Patel Vinodbhai Manibhai Patel v. State Of Gujarat
Factual and Procedural Background
The present Criminal Revision Application challenges the order of the Sessions Judge, Gandhinagar dated 17.1.2008, which cancelled bail previously granted to the applicant under Sub-section 6 of Section 437 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The applicant was involved in offences under Sections 406, 407, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) registered at Dabhoda Police Station (C.R No. I 154 of 2006). The applicant was arrested on 19.1.2007, and after investigation, a charge-sheet was filed on 12.2.2007. Charges were framed and prosecution evidence commenced; however, the trial was not completed within 60 days from the first date fixed for taking evidence. Bail was initially granted under Section 437(6) CrPC on the ground that the trial exceeded 60 days. The State filed a Criminal Misc. Application No. 566 of 2007 seeking cancellation of bail, which was allowed by the Sessions Court on the basis that the applicant had caused adjournments, preventing completion of trial within the stipulated period. Consequently, the bail order was quashed and the applicant was directed to surrender to judicial custody.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether bail must be mandatorily granted under Sub-section 6 of Section 437 CrPC if the trial is not concluded within 60 days from the first date fixed for taking evidence.
- Whether an accused who causes adjournments can claim the benefit of bail under Section 437(6) CrPC.
- The scope and limitations of the trial court’s discretion in granting or refusing bail under Section 437(6) CrPC.
Arguments of the Parties
Applicant's Arguments
- The applicant relied on Section 437(6) CrPC, arguing that since the trial was not completed within 60 days from the first date fixed for evidence, bail should be granted as per the statutory provision.
Respondent's (State's) Arguments
- The State contended that the applicant had caused multiple adjournments, which prevented completion of the trial within 60 days.
- Therefore, bail granted under Section 437(6) CrPC was liable to be cancelled as the accused should not benefit from his own delay.
Table of Precedents Cited
| Precedent | Rule or Principle Cited For | Application by the Court |
|---|---|---|
| Chhabi v. State of Orissa (1995 (2) Crimes 622) | Interpretation of Sub-section 6 of Section 437 CrPC, emphasizing that bail is not automatic after 60 days if reasons are recorded in writing to refuse bail; consideration of nature of allegations and circumstances is permissible. | The Court relied on this precedent to affirm that the trial court has discretion to refuse bail after 60 days if valid reasons are recorded, and that the accused cannot claim automatic bail where he has contributed to delay. |
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The Court analyzed the statutory provision under Sub-section 6 of Section 437 CrPC, which mandates release on bail if a non-bailable offence trial is not concluded within 60 days from the first date fixed for evidence, provided the accused is in custody during that period. However, the Court emphasized the proviso allowing the Magistrate to refuse bail for reasons recorded in writing. The Court clarified that bail is not an absolute right after 60 days; the trial court must consider the nature and gravity of the offence, quantum of punishment, manner of involvement, and societal impact.
The Court noted that the applicant had sought multiple adjournments, thereby delaying the trial. It held that the accused cannot benefit from his own act of causing adjournments to claim bail under Section 437(6) CrPC. The Court also referred to the precedent set by the Orissa High Court in Chhabi v. State of Orissa, which supports the principle that the merits and circumstances can be considered when deciding bail under this provision.
Consequently, the Sessions Court’s cancellation of bail was upheld as it had valid reasons recorded in writing for refusing bail despite the lapse of 60 days. The Court dismissed the revision application, affirming the correctness of the Sessions Court’s decision.
Holding and Implications
The Criminal Revision Application is dismissed.
The direct effect of this decision is that the cancellation of bail granted under Section 437(6) CrPC stands affirmed, and the applicant is directed to surrender to judicial custody if not already on bail under Section 439 CrPC. The Court clarified that bail under Section 437(6) CrPC is discretionary and not automatic after 60 days, especially where the accused has contributed to trial delays. No new precedent was established beyond the reaffirmation of existing principles concerning bail under this provision.
D.N Patel, J.:— Present Criminal Revision Application has been preferred against the order passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Gandhinagar dated 17.1.2008 in Criminal Misc. Application No. 566 of 2007, whereby bail was granted to the applicant under Sub-section 6 of Section 437 of Criminal Procedure Code, has been cancelled.
2. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and looking to the facts and circumstances of the case, I see no reason to entertain present application mainly for the following facts and reasons:
(i) It appears from the facts of the case that present applicant is involved in the offence in connection with C.R No. I 154 of 2006 registered with Dabhoda Police Station for the offence punishable under Section 406, 407 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code.
(ii) Aforesaid offence was registered with Dabhoda Police Station and he was arrested on 19.1.2007
(iii) It appears that upon completion of the investigation, the charge-sheet/chalan was filed on 12.2.2007 before the concerned trial Court.
(iv) It appears that the charge was framed and thereafter, evidence was started by the prosecution witnesses, but as the period of 60 days was over, the trial could not be completed.
(v) It appears that under Sub-section 6 of Section 437 of Criminal Procedure Code, an application was preferred mainly on the ground that as 60 days are already over from the first date fixed for taking evidence and as the trial was not over, bail was granted to the applicant. Trial Court granted bail under Section 437(6) of Code of Criminal Procedure on this ground.
(vi) Against the order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Gandhinagar on 23.10.2007, Criminal Misc. Application was preferred by the respondent - State bearing Criminal Application No. 566 of 2007 for cancellation of bail and the learned Sessions Court. Gandhinagar has observed that time and again, the applications for adjournment were made by the present applicant. Thereafter, the trial could not be completed within 60 days and therefore, the order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Gandhinagar dated 13.10.2007 in Criminal Case No. 1807 of 2008 was quashed and set aside and the present applicant was sent to the judicial custody.
(vii) it appears from the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure that it is not mandatory for the trial court to enlarge the applicant on bail, if the period of 60 days is over from the first date fixed for taking evidence and even if, the trial is not over. If the provisions of Sub-section 6 of Section 437 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 are read carefully, there is an inbuilt mechanism if the trial is not over within 60 days from the first date fixed for taking evidence. For ready reference, Sub-section 6 of Section 437 of Criminal Procedure Code reads as under:
“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”.
(Emphasis Supplied)
3. In view of the aforesaid provisions, there is an exception already mentioned in Section itself to the effect that if the Magistrate is satisfied with the reasons to be recorded in writing, the bail may be refused to the accused, even if, 60 days are over from the first date fixed for taking evidence. There is no such mathematical co-relation that once 60 days are over, from first date fixed for taking evidence, the bail must be granted to the accused. Looking to the gravity of the offence, quantum of punishment, manner in which the accused is involved and the evidence against the accused and looking to the overall impact of the offence upon the society and looking to such other factors, bail can be refused despite the fact that 60 days period is over from the first date fixed for taking evidence and if the trial is not over. The only condition under Section 437(6) of Code of Criminal Procedure for such refusal of bail, is to record reasons for not to enlarge the accused on bail. Once taking of his own handwriting on one hand, the accused may not prefer an application for adjournment and claimed bail under Sub-section 6 of Section 437 of Criminal Procedure, which has been decided by Orissa High court in the case of Chhabi v. State of Orissa reported in 1995 (2) Crimes 622 (Crimes). Para 3 thereof read as under:
“3. A Magistrate, while dealing with a case under sub-section (6) of section 437 of the Code has to record reasons for making an exception. The said provision deals with cases where the trial of a person accused of any non-bailable offence is not concluded within a period of a sixty days from the first day fixed for taking evidence in the case, and it provides that such person shall, if he is in custody during the whole of the said period be released on bail unless for reasons to be recorded in writing the Magistrate otherwise directs. It is the right of an accused person to demand that the charge against him should be tried without any unreasonable delay and such delay entitles the accused to get bail. That right is statutorily recognised and puts a time limit. In a case falling under this sub-section if the Magistrate for reasons to be recorded, holds that the accused shall not be released, then the accused will not be released on bail. It is stated that merits of the case should not be considered at that stage. There is no force in this place. An overall view cannot be equated with prejudging the case. The Court is not precluded from considering the nature of allegations, while dealing with a case under sub-section (6) of section 437 of the Code. Taking totality of the circumstances, I find nothing wrong in the orders passed by the courts below to warrant interference. However, any observation made while dealing with the case should not weigh when the matter is taken up for trial. Learned counsel for petitioner states that in case trial is not expeditiously finalised, learned Magistrate shall be moved for bail. Needless to say that an effort should be made by learned Magistrate to dispose of the proceeding as early as practicable. If any application for bail is filed, the same shall be considered on its own merits”.
(Emphasis Supplied)
4. This Court has also decided in Criminal Misc. Application No. 945 of 2005 decided on 5.5.2005 that it is not mandatory under Section 437(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure on the part of the trial Court to enlarge the accused on bail, no sooner did, 60 days are over from the first date fixed for taking evidence in Criminal case, if other cogent and convincing reasons are recoded by the trial Court. This has also been followed in Criminal Misc. Application No. 15144 of 2007 by this Court decided on 5.2.2008
5. Looking to the facts and circumstances of the present case, it appears that there are serious charges against the present applicant under Sections 406, 408 and 420 of Indian Penal Code. The first date of evidence was started by the prosecution witness on 25.6.2007 after fixation of the charge against the present applicant. Thereafter, as stated hereinabove, adjournments applications were preferred in the month of August as well as in the month of October. Meanwhile, examination-in-chief of the prosecution witness has been continued upto the end of September, 2007. Thus, for the reasons recorded by the learned Sessions Judge, Gandhinagar, I see no reason to enlarge the present application on bail under Section 6 of Sub-Section 437 of Criminal Procedure Code. There are valid reasons for rejecting bail application of the present applicant. Applicant/accused cannot be allowed to take benefit of his adjournment application. Accused is applying for adjournment and subsequently says now, 60 days are over from first date fixed for taking evidence and he must be enlarged on bail under Section 437(6) of Code of Criminal Procedure. This advantage of his own wrong, cannot be availed for getting bail under Section 437(6) of Code of Criminal Procedure. The order passed by the learned Sessions Court, Gandhinagar is absolutely true and correct in consonance with the provisions of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973. No error has been committed by the leaned Sessions Court, Gandhinagar in allowing Criminal Misc. Application preferred by the State bearing Criminal Misc. Application No. 566 of 2007 and correctly the order granting bail by the trial Court has been quashed. Accused is directed to surrender to judicial custody, if he has not availed bail under Section 439 of Code of Criminal Procedure.
6. As a cumulative effect of the aforesaid facts, reasons and judicial pronouncement, there is no substance in the present application. Hence, the same is dismissed.
(SAJ)Application dismissed.
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