MANU/SC/1525/2016

True Court CopyTM English

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Criminal Appeal No. 1141 of 2016

Decided On: 24.11.2016

Appellants: State of Bihar Vs. Respondent: Rajballav Prasad

Hon'ble Judges/Coram:
A.K. Sikri and Abhay Manohar Sapre

JUDGMENT

A.K. Sikri, J.

1. Respondent herein is facing trial in Mahila Police Station Case No. 15 of 2016, wherein he is charged for committing offences Under Sections 376, 420/34, 366-A, 370, 370-A, 212, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, Sections 4, 6 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ("POCSO Act" for short) as well as Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Immoral Traffic Act, 1956. He is one of the co-accused in the said trial. FIR in this behalf was registered on the basis of written complaint of the prosecutrix Preeti Kumari (minor) on 09.02.2016. During investigation, the Respondent was identified as the main accused having committed the rape on the said minor. However, since at that time, he was allegedly absconding, the trial court issued process Under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 ("Code of Criminal Procedure" for short) and thereafter on 27.07.2006 issued process Under Section 83 against the Respondent. At that stage, apprehending his imminent arrest, the Respondent surrendered before the trial court on 10.03.2016 and was taken into custody. After conclusion of the investigation, chargesheet in the case was filed on 20.04.2016 and the charges were framed on 06.08.2016.

2. Pending trial, the Respondent filed bail application before the learned Additional Sessions Judge which was heard and dismissed by the trial court vide order dated 30.05.2016. Obviously, dissatisfied with this dismissal order, the Respondent approached the High Court for grant of bail which came up for hearing before the High Court on 27.07.2016. However, permission was sought to withdraw the said bail application and accepting this request, the bail petition was dismissed as withdrawn on 27.07.2016. Within three weeks thereafter i.e. on 19.08.2016, the Respondent preferred another bail petition before the High Court. This time he has succeeded in his attempt as the High Court has, vide judgment dated 30.09.2016, directed release of the Respondent on bail. Certain conditions are also imposed while granting this bail. It is the State which feels aggrieved by the impugned order granting bail to the Respondent and has challenged this order in the present proceedings. Notice was issued in the SLP on 07.10.2016 for actual returnable date i.e. 17.10.2016. Thereafter, the material date of hearing is 08.11.2016 when the following order was passed: