R/CR.

MA/19063/2014 ORDER

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL ) NO. 19063

================================================================
DHARMESH MANILAL PATEL....Applicant(s)
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT....Respondent(s)
================================================================
Appearance:
MR PM THAKKAR SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH MR ABHISST K THAKER,
ADVOCATE for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR AD SHAH, ADVOCATE with Mr. Ekant Ahuja for the Respondent(s) No. 1
MR HK PATEL ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR for the Respondent(s)
No. 1
================================================================

CORAM: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE A.J.DESAI

Date : 16/12/2014

ORAL ORDER

1.0 By way of present application under Section 438 of the Code of 

Criminal Procedure, 1973, the applicant­original accused has prayed to 

release him on anticipatory bail in case of his arrest in connection with 

the   FIR   registered   as  CR   No.   I­   142   of   2014   before   Navrangpura 

Police Station, Ahmedabad for the offences punishable under Sections 

498(A), 506(2) and 377 of the Indian Penal Code. 

2.0 Since   the   original   complainant   happens   to   be   the   wife   of   the 

present applicant, she has filed affidavit­in­reply and has requested to 

Page 1 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

assign reasons while considering the present application. 

3.0 The  brief facts and reasons are narrated hereinbelow. 

3.1 The brief facts arose from the record are as under:

3.2 That   one   Darshanaben   wife   of   the   present   applicant   i.e 

Dharmesh  Patel  who is bachelor  of Engineering  got  married  with the 

applicant on 14.09.1994 against wish and will of her family members. 

Since she got married against the wish and will of her parents, she has 

no relation with her parents. Out of the said wedlock, she has delivered 

two children a son and a daughter who are aged about 19 years and 16 

years respectively. The sister of the complainant namely Avaniben used 

to   visit   the   house   of   the   complainant   who   was   residing   with   her 

husband­ the present applicant and family members and fell in love with 

the present applicant and thereafter she was residing with the present 

applicant as second wife with her husband. Out of the second marriage 

of sister of the complainant, her sister has delivered two children and all 

the persons were residing together. 

4.0 By   way   of   filing   impugned   FIR   on   23.10.2014   the   complainant 

alleged that the applicant­accused being the husband was compelling 

her and her sister for unnatural sexual act, and was compelling both of 

them   for   unnatural   sex.   It   was   further   alleged   that   applicant   used   to 

physically beat both of them, however since both of them have married 

to the present applicant­accused against the wish of their parents, they 

Page 2 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

were compelled to live with him. 

4.1 It was alleged that on 10.10.2014 both the sisters were called by 

the  present  applicant  at one of their  homes  and  were  beaten  by the 

present applicant and asked for unnatural act. Since they opposed and 

did not succumb to the demand made by the applicant and therefore, 

all   the   family   members   were   compelled   to   leave   the   house   and 

accordingly   they   left   the   house.   A   complaint   was   lodged   with   Ranip 

Police Station which was recorded at Ranip Police Station on the same 

day, i.e. on 10.10.2014 which was treated as non­cognizable complaint 

(   NC   complaint).   However,   the   same   was   treated   as   Chapter   case 

under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. . 

5.0 Having come to know about lodging of FIR, the present applicant 

approached  the learned  trial  Court  by filing  application  under Section 

438  of the Indian  Penal  Code for anticipatory  Bail  which  came  to be 

rejected by the learned Sessions Judge vide order dated 12.11.2014. 

Hence, this application. 

6.0 Mr. PM Thakkar, learned Senior Advocate with Mr. AK Thaker, 

learned   advocate   appearing   for   the   applicant   would   submit   that   the 

complainant and the present applicant had entered into love marriage 

before 20 years and they were happily residing together. However  at 

the instance of some other relatives, the present  complaint has been 

filed since the applicant is managing a business in the name of his two 

Page 3 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

wives.    He  would  submit  that  all  the properties  are  purchased  in the 

name of the complainant and her sister who had agreed to live as family 

member along with her already married sister. All the family members 

were residing happily and together until FIR which was lodged at Ranip 

Police Station on 10.10.2014 ( Now chapter case). He would submit that 

the   business   is   also   run   by   the   applicant   either   in   the   name   of   the 

complainant   or   in   the   name   of   the   sister   of   the   complainant   namely 

Avaniben.   By taking me through the documentary evidence produced 

along with either petition or rejoinder­in­affidavit, he would submit that 

number   of   properties   have   been   purchased   either   in   name   of   the 

complainant or in the name of her sister and expensive cars are also 

purchased in their name. Further he would submit that no incident with 

regard   to   the   alleged   offence   punishable   under   Section   377   of   the 

Indian   Penal   Code   as   ever   been   taken   place   in   the   marriage   life 

between the applicant and the complainant. He would submit that he is 

having two children pursuant to marriage with both the sisters and all of 

them are either college or school going kids. He would submit that the 

original   complainant   preferred   writ   petition   before   this   Court   and 

requested  that  she  may  be permitted  to reside  in a bungalow  where 

family was residing which came to be allowed by the co­ordinate bench 

and   under   police   protection,  the   complainant   is  residing   in   the   same 

bungalow   along with her sister. He would submit that the applicant is 

ready   and   willing   to   file   undertaking   that   unless   further   orders   are 

passed   by   this   Court,   he   shall   not   enter   in   the   area   in   which   the 

Page 4 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

complainant is residing. 

7.0 On   the   other   hand,   Mr.   HK   Patel,   learned   Additional   Public 

Prosecutor has opposed this application and submitted that applicant is 

facing serious offence which is under Section 377 of the Indian Penal 

Code and punishment for the same is upto life imprisonment. Therefore, 

the   application   is   required   to   be   rejected.   By   taking   me   through   the 

statement of children of the complainant, he would submit that applicant 

is   a   headstrong   person   who   used   to   misbehave   with   his   family 

members. Therefore, he is not entitled for anticipatory bail. 

7.1 He would further submit that it is established that the applicant is 

short   tempered   and   he   had   actually   acted   in   such   a   manner   that 

another FIR is lodged against him by a Senior lawyer of this Court with 

regard   to   incident   of   accident.     He   would   therefore   submits   that   the 

allegations levelled is prima facie established against the applicant. 

8.0 Mr.   AD   Shah   assisted   by   Mr.   Ekant   Ahuja,   learned   advocate 

appearing   for   the   original   complainant   has   taken   me   through   the 

affidavit   filed   by   the   complainant   and   submitted   that   both   the   sisters 

were under influence of their husband. He used to beat them time and 

again. He would submit that the complainant had tried to lodge an FIR 

on 10.10.2014 at Navrangpura Police Station but since the beating part 

is taken in  Sabarmati area, the complaint was recorded at Ranip Police 

Page 5 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

Station and pursuant to which, a chapter case was registered against 

the   present   applicant   in   which   bail   bond   is   taken   by   the   learned 

Magistrate. He would submit that subsequent to the chapter case which 

is   pending,   the   applicant   has   not   remained   present   for   execution   of 

surety  bond   and  therefore,  he  is  not  entitled   for  anticipatory  bail.  He 

would submit that though the business is being run in the names of the 

complainant and her sister however they  have no control over financial 

transaction. He would submit that even after 10.10.2014, some amount 

has been transferred from the account of Avaniben to another account 

for which she has filed  FIR on 11.12.2014 for the offences punishable 

under   Section   465   etc.   of   the   Indian   Penal   Code.   He   therefore, 

requested to reject the application. 

9.0 I have heard the learned Advocates for the respective parties and 

perused   the   papers   of   investigation   including   several   statements 

recorded by the investigating agency. 

9.1 It  is  an  undisputed  fact  that  the  complainant  entered   in  a love 

marriage with the present applicant before about 20 years and out of 

the said wedlock, she has delivered two children who are aged about 19 

years and 16 years respectively. It is also an admitted fact that the real 

sister  of the complainant  willingly  entered  into  a relationship  with  the 

present applicant and got married with him before more than 10 years 

and  she  has  also  delivered  two  children  out  of  said  wedlock.  All  the 

Page 6 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

family   members   i.e.   applicant,   his   two   wives   (real   sisters)   and   four 

children were residing in one house until 10.10.2014, when they were 

compelled [ as alleged by the complainant] or left the matrimonial home 

and   went   to   Ranip   Police   Station   with   regard   to   disputes   with   their 

husband. In FIR dated 10.10.2014 registered with Ranip Police Station, 

no   serious   allegations   which   are   now   made   were   made   against   the 

applicant. Neither the complainant nor her sister were ready and willing 

to get examined by the medical officer which reflects from the FIR itself 

which is now treated as a chapter case and when the applicant did not 

appear   on   the   first   occasion   when   he   was   called   by   the   Executive 

Magistrate.   Since   the   FIR   lodged   on     23.10.2014   i.e.   after   about   13 

days   from   the   first   incident,   the   applicant   did   file   application   under 

Section 438 of the Code of Criminal  Procedure  before the Court and 

since he was apprehending his arrest, he did not appear in the chapter 

case and he had then tried to get relief from the competent court. There 

are no medical  papers available on record with regard to the chapter 

case  which  was  registered  on 10.10.2014  since  the  complainant  and 

her sister had refused to get examined by any medical officer. 

10.0 Pursuant to FIR in question, both the sisters have been examined 

by the medical  officer  on 24.10.2014.  I have gone into the certificate 

issued   by   medical   officer.   Both   of   them   were   examined   by   the 

competent doctor of Government  General  Hospital, Sola, Ahmedabad 

and has issued those certificates which are examined by him. History as 

Page 7 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

alleged in the FIR is recorded in the medical certificate however I could 

not find any type of injury on any part of the body of any of the victims  

as alleged in the FIR. The said aspect has been accepted by learned 

Additional Public Prosecutor in his submission. Therefore, prima facie, 

the story put forward by the complainant about the unnatural behaviour 

of the applicant is not supported by any medical evidence. However, I 

would   not   like   to   discuss   the   same   in   detail   while   considering   the 

application for bail submitted by the applicant. 

11.0 I have also gone through the statements of daughter and son of 

the  applicant  and  complainant  who  are  aged  about  19 years  and 16 

years   accordingly.   It   appears   from   their   statements   that   they   have 

grievance with regard to aggressive nature of their father.

12.0 As   laid   down   by   the   Hon’ble   Supreme   Court   in   numerous 

cases that while dealing with an application for anticipatory bail or bail, 

detailed scrutiny is not required and therefore, I have not dealt with the 

same in detail, which may go against either of the party.

13..0 Hence, considering  the facts of the case, nature of allegations, 

role attributed to the accused, without discussing the evidence in detail, 

at this  stage,  I am inclined  to grant anticipatory  bail  to the applicant. 

This Court has also taken into consideration the law laid down by the 

Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre vs. 

Page 8 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

State of Maharashtra and Ors. as reported at [2011] 1 SCC 6941, 

wherein   the   Hon’ble   Apex   Court   reiterated   the   law   laid   down   by   the 

Constitutional Bench in the the case of Shri Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia & 

Ors., as reported at (1980) 2 SCC 665.

14.0 In the result, the present application is  allowed by directing that 

in   the   event   of   applicant   herein   being   arrested   pursuant   to   FIR 

registered   as  CR   No.   I­   142   of   2014   before   Navrangpura   Police 

Station,   Ahmedabad  the   applicant   shall   be   released   on   bail   on 

furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 50,000/( Rupees Fifty thousand( Rs. 

25000/ each)  only ) with one local surety of like amount on the following 

conditions that the applicant shall :

(a)  cooperate with the investigation and make himself  available 

for interrogation whenever required;

(b) remain present at concerned Police Station on  24.12.2014   

between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.;

(c)  shall file undertaking to the effect that he shall not enter in 

Navrangpura Police Station and shall provide the latest address 

(d)     not   directly   or   indirectly   make   any   inducement,   threat   or

promise to any person acquainted with the fact of the case so as

Page 9 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

to dissuade  him from  disclosing  such  facts  to the  court  or to  

any police officer;

(f)     not   obstruct   or   hamper   the   police   investigation   and   not   to

play mischief with  the evidence collected or yet to be collected by 

the police;

(g)  at the time of execution of bond, furnish the address to the  

investigating officer and the court concerned and shall not change 

his residence till the final disposal of the case till  further orders;

(h)   not leave India without  the permission  of the Court and if  

having  passport  shall  deposit  the  same  before  the  Trial  Court  

within a week; and

(i)   it   would   be   open   to   the   Investigating   Officer   to   file   an  

application for remand if  he considers it proper and just and the  

learned Magistrate would decide it on merits;

15.0  Despite this order, it would be open for the Investigating Agency 

to apply to the competent Magistrate, for police remand of the applicant. 

The applicant shall remain present before the learned Magistrate on the 

first   date   of   hearing   of   such   applications   and   on   all   subsequent 

occasions, as may be directed by the learned Magistrate. This would be 

Page 10 of 11
 R/CR.MA/19063/2014 ORDER

sufficient to treat the accused in the judicial custody for the purpose of 

entertaining  application  of the  prosecution  for police  remand.  This  is, 

however,   without   prejudice   to   the   right   of   the   accused   to   seek   stay 

against an order of remand, if, ultimately, granted and the power of the 

learned Magistrate to consider such a request in accordance with law. It 

is clarified that the applicant, even if, remanded to the police custody, 

upon   completion   of   such   period   of   police   remand,   shall   be   set   free 

immediately, subject to other conditions of this anticipatory bail order.

16.0 At the trial, the Trial Court shall not be influenced by the prima 

facie observations made by this Court while enlarging the applicant on 

bail.

17.0 Rule   is   made   absolute.   Application   is   disposed   of   accordingly. 

Direct service is permitted.

(A.J.DESAI, J.)

niru*

Page 11 of 11