Once the FIR under section. 498a/406 is registered it is better option to
take anticipatory bail in the offences as read in the FIR. I have already
discussed the chances of anticipatory bail U/s. 498a and 406 in my previous
article of chances of getting anticipatory bail in 498a But when you move for
anticipatory bail in the court the court may impose certain conditions like
depositing a demand draft of certain amount in the name of wife and the
complainant as a part of maintenance. Now these conditions such are ultravires
to the provisions of section 125 CrPC and these type of orders can be challenged
in higher courts. When a specific provision is there for maintenance of wife and
child such conditional anticipatory bail in 498a is against the law.
Supportive Judgments
In
Narinder Kaur V/s State(NCT of Delhi) 2007(141)DLT 761
Complainant father in law released on anticipatory bail and petitioner, mother
in law granted bail on condition of depositing Rs. 50000 by way of demand draft
in the name of complainant complainant husband already paid Rs. in addition to
deposit of Rs.1.25 lakh and she is disinterested in receiving Rs, 50000/- Both
parties earning well and in dispute in ither fora condition of petitioner to pay
complainant Rs. 50000/- set aside.
Munish Bhasin Vs. State 2009(2) RCR (Crl) 247
Provisions of 438 discussed
From the perusal of the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 438, it is
evident that when the High Court or the Court of Session makes a direction under
sub- section (1) to release an accused alleged to have committed non-bailable
offence, the Court may include such conditions in such direction in the light of
the facts of the particular case, as it may think fit, including (i) a condition
that a person shall make himself available for interrogation by police officer
as and when required, (ii) a condition that the person shall not, directly or
indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with
the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the
Court or to any police officer, (iii) a condition that the person shall not
leave India without the previous permission of the Court and (iv) such other
conditions as may be imposed under sub-section (3) of section 437, as if the
bail were granted under that section. Sub-section (3) of Section 437, inter alia,
provides that when a person accused or suspected of the commission of an offence
punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or more or of an
offence under Chapter VI, Chapter XVI or Chapter XVII of the Indian Penal
Code or abetment of, or conspiracy or attempt to commit, any such offence, is
released on bail under sub-section
(1), the Court shall impose the following conditions-
(a) that such person shall attend in accordance with the conditions of the bond
executed under this Chapter,
(b) that such person shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which
he is accused, or suspected, of the commission of which he is suspected, and
(c) that such person shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement,
threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to
dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or
tamper with the evidence.
The Court may also impose, in the interests of justice, such other conditions as
it considers necessary.
Conditions which can be imposed
It is well settled that while exercising discretion to release an accused
under Section 438 of the Code neither the High Court nor the Session Court would
be justified in imposing freakish conditions. There is no manner of doubt that
the Court having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case can impose
necessary, just and efficacious conditions while enlarging an accused on bail
under Section 438of the Code. However, the accused cannot be subjected to any
irrelevant condition at all. The conditions which can be imposed by the Court
while granting anticipatory bail are enumerated in sub-section (2) of Section
438 and sub- section (3) of Section 437 of the Code. Normally, conditions can be
imposed
(i) to secure the presence of the accused before the investigating officer or
before the Court,
(ii) to prevent him from fleeing the course of justice,
(iii) to prevent him from tampering with the evidence or to prevent him from
inducing or intimidating the witnesses so as to dissuade them from disclosing
the facts before the police or Court or
(iv) restricting the movements of the accused in a particular area or locality
or to maintain law and order etc. To subject an accused to any other condition
would be beyond jurisdiction of the power conferred on Court under section
438Â of the Code.
While imposing conditions on an accused who approaches the Court under section
438Â of the Code, the Court should be extremely chary in imposing conditions and
should not transgress its jurisdiction or power by imposing the conditions which
are not called for at all. There is no manner of doubt that the conditions to be
imposed under section 438 of the Code cannot be harsh, onerous or excessive so
as to frustrate the very object of grant of anticipatory bail under section
438Â of the Code. In the instant case, the question before the Court was whether
having regard to the averments made by Ms. Renuka in her complaint, the
appellant and his parents were entitled to bail under section 438 of the Code.
When the High Court had found that a case for grant of bail under section
438Â was made out, it was not open to the Court to direct the appellant to pay Rs.
3,00,000/- for past maintenance and a sum of Rs.12,500/- per month as future
maintenance to his wife and child. In a proceeding under section 438 of the
Code, the Court would not be justified in awarding maintenance to the wife and
child. The case of the appellant is that his wife Renuka is employed and
receiving a handsome salary and therefore is not entitled to maintenance.
Normally, the question of grant of maintenance should be left to be decided by
the competent Court in an appropriate proceedings where the parties can adduce
evidence in support of their respective case, after which liability of husband
to pay maintenance could be determined and appropriate order would be passed
directing the husband to pay amount of maintenance to his wife. The record of
the instant case indicates that the wife of the appellant has already approached
appropriate Court for grant of maintenance and therefore the High Court should
have refrained from granting maintenance to the wife and child of the appellant
while exercising powers under section 438of the Code.
The condition imposed by the High court directing the appellant to pay a sum of
Rs.12,500/- per month as maintenance to his wife and child is onerous,
unwarranted and is liable to be set aside.
Also Read:
Chances of getting Anticipatory Bail in cases of 498a/406
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