The Supreme Court held that an application for anticipatory bail ...

Anticipatory bail can be sought even if accused is in custody for another case, safeguarding liberty and innocence presumption.

November 18, 2024

Case Laws     Indian Laws     SC

The Supreme Court held that an application for anticipatory bail u/s 438 of the CrPC is maintainable even when the accused is in judicial custody in connection with a different case. The purpose of Section 438 is to safeguard personal liberty and the presumption of innocence. While there is no fundamental right to anticipatory bail, the court should not deprive the accused of exercising this statutory right until their release from custody in the first offense. Doing so may enable investigating agencies to arrest the accused immediately upon release, denying them the opportunity to seek anticipatory bail. The court clarified the procedure for arrest in such cases and emphasized that no restriction can be read into Section 438 to preclude an accused from applying for anticipatory bail while in custody for a different offense, as it would go against the provision's intent. The only restriction is under sub-section (4) of Section 438 or other statutes.

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