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1. ISSUES PRESENTED and CONSIDERED The core legal question addressed in this judgment is whether the High Court was justified in granting anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to the Respondents/accused, particularly when the investigation was pending and both accused had been absconding and not cooperating with the investigation. 2. ISSUE-WISE DETAILED ANALYSIS Relevant Legal Framework and Precedents: The legal framework revolves around Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which deals with the grant of anticipatory bail. The provision is considered extraordinary and is to be exercised in exceptional cases. Key precedents include Adri Dharan Das v. State of W.B. and Lavesh v. State (NCT of Delhi), which clarify the scope and conditions under which anticipatory bail can be granted. Court's Interpretation and Reasoning: The Supreme Court emphasized that anticipatory bail should not be granted to individuals who are absconding or declared as proclaimed offenders. The Court noted that the High Court failed to consider the seriousness of the charges under Sections 302, 120B, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code and the fact that the accused had been absconding. Key Evidence and Findings: Evidence included confessional statements and forensic reports confirming the presence of poison in the milk rabri consumed by the deceased. The Respondents were implicated in administering the poison, and warrants had been issued for their arrest, which they evaded, leading to a proclamation under Section 82 of the Code. Application of Law to Facts: The Court applied the legal principles from Section 438 and relevant precedents to the facts, concluding that the High Court erred in granting anticipatory bail without proper analysis, especially given the Respondents' status as absconders and the gravity of the charges. Treatment of Competing Arguments: The State argued against the grant of anticipatory bail due to the seriousness of the offenses and the Respondents' non-cooperation. The Respondents' counsel supported the High Court's decision. The Supreme Court sided with the State, finding the High Court's decision unsustainable. Conclusions: The Supreme Court concluded that the High Court's orders granting anticipatory bail were unjustified and set them aside, directing the Respondents to surrender and the trial court to take them into custody if they failed to do so. 3. SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGS Preserve Verbatim Quotes of Crucial Legal Reasoning: "The power exercisable under Section 438 of the Code is somewhat extraordinary in character and it is to be exercised only in exceptional cases where it appears that the person may be falsely implicated or where there are reasonable grounds for holding that a person accused of an offence is not likely to otherwise misuse his liberty." Core Principles Established: The judgment reinforces that anticipatory bail should not be granted to absconders or proclaimed offenders, particularly in serious offenses involving Sections 302 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. Final Determinations on Each Issue: The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's orders granting anticipatory bail and directed the Respondents to surrender. The subsequent order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate releasing the accused on bail was also set aside, emphasizing the need for the accused to face trial.
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