Disposed criminal antecedents do not preclude bail where the chargesheet is filed and trial is likely to take time.

The applicant was arrested in connection with Crime No. 144/2026, registered for offences under Sections 296, 351(2), 221, 121(1), 132, 324(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

The prosecution alleged that, while responding to a quarrel during his Dial-112 duty, the complainant was abused and assaulted by the applicant and others, and the police vehicle was damaged.

The applicant denied the allegations, submitted that his nine criminal antecedents had all been disposed of, and relied on the filing of the charge-sheet and his custody since 13 June 2026.

The State opposed bail, citing the antecedents and alleged obstruction of police officers in the discharge of their duties.

Whether the applicant should be granted regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), having regard to the circumstances of the case, his criminal antecedents, the filing of the charge-sheet and the likely duration of trial?

Section 483 of the BNSS provides the High Court with power to grant bail.

In exercising that power, the Court considered the relevant circumstances, including whether any criminal antecedent remained pending, whether the charge-sheet had been filed, the period of custody and the likely time for conclusion of trial.

The order cites no precedent.

Its bail conditions also refer to Sections 84 and 351 of the BNSS and Sections 269 and 209 of the BNS.

The Court treated the applicant’s antecedents as no longer pending because all nine had been disposed of.

It also noted that the charge-sheet had been filed, the applicant had been in custody since 13 June 2026, and the trial was likely to take time.

On those considerations, it found sufficient basis to grant bail notwithstanding the State’s opposition.

Release was subject to conditions concerning adjournments, attendance at trial, compliance with any proclamation, and personal appearance at specified stages of the proceedings.