AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Neutral Citations
2008 INSC 259
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Disposition
Attorney(S)
Judges
Acts
  • Sections 302 and 395 read with Section 120-B of the Penal Code, 1860 (IPC)
  • Section 5, Subsection 2 of the 1983 Income Tax Act
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Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Neutral Citations
2008 INSC 259
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Disposition
Attorney(S)
Judges
Acts
  • Sections 302 and 395 read with Section 120-B of the Penal Code, 1860 (IPC)
  • Section 5, Subsection 2 of the 1983 Income Tax Act
Smart Summary

Factual and Procedural Background

The appellant is an accused in Crime No. 311 of 2002 for offences under Sections 302 and 395 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. His first bail application before the Sessions Court was rejected on 18-10-2002. A second bail application filed on 29-10-2002 was allowed on 07-11-2002. The second respondent challenged this order before the High Court of Allahabad (Lucknow Bench), which cancelled the bail, stating that no new circumstances had arisen within the 19-day interval to justify a different result and that the Sessions Judge acted contrary to settled principles of judicial propriety.

The appellant appealed to the Supreme Court. During the pendency of the appeal, the Supreme Court granted several adjournments to enable the prosecution to examine key witnesses. The trial was still continuing at the time of the judgment.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the High Court was justified in cancelling the bail granted to the appellant on the ground that there was no change in circumstances between the first and second bail applications.
  2. What directions, if any, should be issued concerning the expeditious completion of the ongoing sessions trial and the appellant’s future right to seek bail.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments

  • Multiple criminal cases cited against him are the result of political rivalry; many have been closed by the investigating agency as baseless.
  • The second respondent himself faces several criminal cases and therefore lacks the moral standing to seek cancellation of the appellant’s bail.

Respondent's Arguments

  • Emphasised the appellant’s alleged involvement in serious offences, including attempts on the lives of a prosecution witness and the second respondent’s brother, as well as a “series of crimes” purportedly registered against him.
  • Provided the court with a list of those cases to demonstrate the appellant’s propensity for violent conduct and the risk posed if bail remained in force.

Table of Precedents Cited

No precedents were cited in the provided opinion.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Supreme Court did not expressly adjudicate on the correctness of the High Court’s cancellation order. Instead, it focused on ensuring a speedy trial and preserving the appellant’s right to seek bail if proceedings were unduly delayed. Observing that the trial should by now be nearing completion, the Court:

  • Directed the Sessions Judge, Raebareilly, to conclude the trial within three months.
  • Provided that, if the trial is delayed beyond that period for reasons other than the accused’s non-cooperation, the appellant may apply for bail.
  • Ordered that any future bail application be decided by the Sessions Judge on its own merits, uninfluenced by the adverse observations made by the High Court.

Holding and Implications

Appeal disposed of with directions.

Immediate Effect: The cancellation of bail by the High Court remains in force, but the appellant has liberty to seek fresh bail if the trial is not completed within three months (excluding delays attributable to him). The Sessions Court must decide any such bail application without relying on the High Court’s earlier remarks.

Broader Implications: The judgment underscores the Supreme Court’s preference for expeditious trial over prolonged pre-trial incarceration and clarifies that denial or cancellation of bail does not bar a fresh application when circumstances—such as trial delay—materially change.

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    Akhilesh Kumar Singh v. State Of Uttar Pradesh Through Dgc (Crl.) And Another

    K.G Balakrishnan, C.J— Leave granted.

    2. The appellant is an accused in Crime No. 311 of 2002 registered for the offences under Sections 302 and 395 read with Section 120-B of the Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). The appellant moved bail application before the Sessions Court and the same was rejected on 18-10-2002. Thereafter, the appellant moved another bail application on 29-10-2002 and the same was allowed on 7-11-2002. Aggrieved by the same, the second respondent herein filed a criminal miscellaneous case before the High Court of Allahabad, Lucknow Bench. By the impugned order, the High Court set aside the order passed by the Sessions Judge granting bail to the appellant. The main reason given by the learned Single Judge of the High Court in cancelling the bail granted to the appellant is that the first bail application was rejected on valid grounds and just 19 days after the rejection of the first bail application, the appellant herein had no ground to urge for bail as there was no change in circumstances. It was also pointed out that whatever grounds were urged in the second bail application could have been stated in the first bail application and the reasons given for grant of bail by the Sessions Judge in the second bail application were in utter violation of the settled principles of judicial propriety.

    3. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties.

    4. A sessions case is pending trial against the appellant. There was an allegation that the appellant herein attempted to cause death of one person who was arrayed as a prosecution witness and a case was registered against the appellant. It is also pointed out that the appellant herein made an attempt on the life of brother of the second respondent herein and for that also a case had been registered against the appellant under Section 307 IPC. It is further pointed out that a series of crimes have been registered against the appellant.

    5. Shri Ram Jethmalani, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellant, pointed out that all these cases have been registered on account of political rivalry and many of such cases were closed by the investigating agency when they were found baseless. The list of cases has been furnished by the learned counsel appearing for the respondents. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellant also pointed out that even against the second respondent several cases are pending and he had no right to move for cancellation of the bail granted to the appellant.

    6. When the matter was pending before us, we repeatedly adjourned the case with the expectation that the important witnesses would be examined by the prosecution and the trial would be completed at an early date. The trial is being continued and most of the witnesses must have been examined by this time. If the trial is not already over, the Sessions Judge, Raebareilly is directed to complete the same within a period of three months and, if for any reason, except the non-cooperation of the accused, the trial is delayed beyond three months, the appellant would be at liberty to move the Sessions Court for bail and, without being influenced by the observations made by the High Court in the impugned order, the same would be considered by the Sessions Judge on merits and appropriate order shall be passed.

    7. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

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    Comments

    Akhilesh Kumar Singh v. State Of Uttar Pradesh Through Dgc (Crl.) And Another
    (Feb 27, 2008)