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Issues:
1. Whether accused, released on bail, should be required to furnish fresh bail at different stages of prosecution. 2. Validity of the practice of requiring accused to attend court periodically after being released on bail. 3. Interpretation of bail bond execution and security furnishing by the accused. Analysis: 1. The petitioners argued that the practice of calling upon accused to furnish fresh bail at various stages of prosecution, even after being released on bail initially, was unwarranted by law and caused harassment. They contended that bail granted should endure till the final conclusion of the trial. Reference was made to the Supreme Court case emphasizing that accused need not appear before the court until the charge-sheet is filed. The court agreed, stating that bail bonds should ensure accused's attendance till the trial's end, eliminating the need for executing fresh bonds. 2. The petitioners further challenged the requirement for accused to attend court periodically after being released on bail, claiming it caused inconvenience without advancing criminal justice administration. The court concurred, highlighting the need to eliminate the inconvenience and harassment caused by this prevalent practice. It suggested bail bonds should be remodeled to ensure accused's appearance before any court till the trial's conclusion, avoiding the necessity of executing fresh bonds at different stages. 3. The court noted that the bail bond's proforma was outdated and not in line with the current Criminal Procedure Code. It emphasized that bail bonds should be amended to secure accused's attendance throughout the trial, not just before the magistrate granting bail. The respondent argued for periodic attendance to prevent absconding and varying bail amounts based on investigation progress. However, the court dismissed these arguments, stating that accused's appearance could be ensured through existing legal provisions without the need for periodic attendance. Therefore, the court allowed the petition, directing the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate not to take the petitioners into custody or ask for fresh bail bonds. The petitioners were permitted to remain on bail throughout the proceedings before the magistrate and during the trial before the Court of Sessions if the case is committed there.
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