Regular bail granted for Arms Act possession as trial conclusion remains pending despite criminal antecedents.

The applicant was arrested on March 6, 2026, after police personnel on patrol received an informant's tip regarding a person carrying a knife at a public spot in Raipur.

Upon reaching the spot, police seized a knife from the applicant's possession and registered Crime No. 63/2026.

Following the completion of the investigation, a charge-sheet was filed before the competent court.

The applicant filed this first bail application contending that the recovery was doubtful as no independent witnesses were joined despite the incident occurring in broad daylight at a public place.

The State opposed the bail, citing the applicant's two previous criminal antecedents from 2022 and 2024.

Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, considering the nature of the offense and the period of incarceration.

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) regarding the grant of regular bail.

Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, noting that such offenses are triable by a Judicial Magistrate First Class.

Sections 209 and 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 84 of the BNSS regarding the consequences of violating bail conditions and non-appearance.

The court balanced the gravity of the allegations—conscious possession of a weapon in public—against the procedural status of the case.

While the court acknowledged the applicant's two criminal antecedents, it noted they were sufficiently explained in the bail application.

The court took significant note of the fact that the investigation was complete and the charge-sheet had already been filed, meaning custodial interrogation was no longer required.

Furthermore, as the offenses are triable by a JMFC and the trial is expected to take time, the court determined that prolonged pre-trial detention was not warranted.

The court also implicitly considered the lack of allegations regarding the actual use of the weapon to cause injury.

The applicant was ordered to be released on a personal bond with two sureties, subject to strict conditions: he must not seek unnecessary adjournments, must appear on all trial dates (specifically for framing of charges and recording of statements), and must comply with protocols under Sections 209 and 269 of the BNS in case of default.