(1.) The question which falls for consideration by this Larger Bench is whether an application for anticipatory bail is maintainable after charge sheet has been filed in the Court?
(2.) It transpires that a learned Single Judge of this Court had referred the aforesaid question to a Larger Bench vide order dtd. 17/8/2022. The said question was answered in the affirmative by a Division Bench vide order dtd. 7/9/2022. Learned Single Judge, however, was of the opinion that the issues raised in the order of reference have not been considered and then the question was again referred to Larger Bench vide order dtd. 28/9/2022, passed in ABA/76/2021 and connected matters. Thus, the issue is now before a Full Bench.
(3.) Since the question was earlier answered by a Division Bench, therefore, before proceeding in the matter, it would be worthwhile to peruse the second order of reference dtd. 28/9/2022, which is extracted below: