Regular bail granted under Section 483 BNSS considering detention period and filing of charge sheet.

The applicant was arrested on December 24, 2025, in connection with Crime No. 375/2025 at Police Station Akaltara.

The prosecution alleged that the applicant, along with co-accused, engaged in organized theft of LT AB electrical cables and transformer materials from the Kotgarh Distribution Center, causing financial loss to the electricity company.

The applicant contended he was a scrap collector falsely implicated, noting that the FIR was registered against unknown persons and no incriminating articles or CCTV evidence linked him to the crime.

It was further noted that the applicant had two other criminal antecedents (Crime Nos. 655/2025 and 616/2025) involving similar allegations.

A charge sheet has since been filed.

Whether the applicant is entitled to the grant of regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in light of his period of detention and the filing of the charge sheet.

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

Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) regarding penalties for non-attendance before a court.

Section 84 of the BNSS regarding proclamations for persons absconding and Section 209 of the BNS for failure to appear in obedience to a proclamation.

Procedural compliance for recording statements under Section 351 of the BNSS.

The Court balanced the gravity of the allegations of organized theft against the procedural status of the case.

It took into consideration that the applicant had been in custody since December 24, 2025, and that the investigation had culminated in the filing of a charge sheet.

Although the State opposed bail due to the applicant's criminal antecedents, the Court observed that the trial would likely take considerable time to conclude.

Without expressing an opinion on the merits of the case, the Court reasoned that the applicant's continued detention was not warranted, provided that strict conditions were imposed to prevent the abuse of liberty and ensure his presence during trial proceedings.

The Court held that the applicant must strictly adhere to conditions, including: (i) not seeking adjournments during witness testimony, (ii) appearing personally or through counsel on all dates, and (iii) being personally present for the framing of charges and recording of statements under Section 351 of the BNSS.

Any default or deliberate absence would entitle the trial court to treat the bail as abused and proceed in accordance with law.