Accused In Jail For 4 Years 8 Months As Undertrial : Supreme Court Grants Bail

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to an accused particularly taking note of the fact that he has been in jail for about 4 years and 8 months.

The petitioner was accused of committing offences under Sections 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) under the Indian Penal Code and Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Price Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act.  He was under custody in the case which is being handled by the CBI.

The Orissa High Court had rejected his application for bail filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure taking note of the magnitude of the crime in which large sums of money were allegedly collected from a lot of people by making false promises through a network of companies. The High Court had observed in its order passed on April 9, 2021, that the offences had "wide ramifications, ruining the economy of the nation".

Challenging the High Court order, the petitioner filed special leave petition in the Supreme Court.

A bench comprising Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari disposed of the SLP observing as :

"Having heard learned counsel for the parties and having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case more particularly in view of the fact that the petitioner has been in jail for about four years and eight months, we are of the view that the petitioner has to be released on bail. Therefore, we direct the release of the petitioner on bail subject to the conditions to be imposed by the trial court".

Case Title : Sanjiv Shankarrao Khade v. Republic of India (CBI)

Click here to read/download the order