Filing of charge-sheet and absence of criminal antecedents warrant bail for Arms Act offences.

On February 16, 2026, police received confidential information that a person was armed with a pistol near the CSEB Ground, Gudhiyari

Upon reaching the spot, the police apprehended the applicant, Siddharth Sharma, and recovered an iron pistol with a magazine from his possession

The applicant was arrested on February 17, 2026, and charged under Section 25 of the Arms Act in connection with Crime No. 50/2026

Following the filing of the charge-sheet, the applicant moved the High Court for regular bail, citing his clean criminal record and the likely duration of the trial

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which provides the High Court and Sessions Court with the power to grant bail

Section 25 of the Arms Act

Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) regarding non-appearance before the court, Section 84 of the BNSS concerning proclamations for absconding persons, Section 209 of the BNS regarding failure to appear, and Section 351 of the BNSS regarding the recording of the accused's statement

The Court evaluated the merits of the bail application by weighing the gravity of the allegations against the procedural status of the case.

It noted that the investigation was largely complete as the charge-sheet had already been filed

The Court placed significant weight on the fact that the applicant had no prior criminal history, indicating he was not a habitual offender

The Court considered the applicant’s period of incarceration since February 17, 2026, and observed that since the trial would take a considerable amount of time to conclude, continued detention was not warranted

The Court reasoned that the interests of justice and the presence of the accused at trial could be secured through specific conditions and undertakings rather than further imprisonment

The Court held that the applicant is entitled to liberty because the charge-sheet is filed, he lacks criminal antecedents, and the trial will be prolonged

The relief was granted subject to strict conditions, including an undertaking not to seek adjournments during witness testimony, mandatory personal appearance for the framing of charges and recording of statements under Section 351 of the BNSS, and the threat of proceedings under the BNS/BNSS in the event of bail misuse