VALIBHAI SULEMANBHAI METAR Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of the present application under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the applicant original accused has prayed to release him on anticipatory bail in case of his arrest in connection with the FIR registered as C.R No.11193003201041 of 2020 before Amreli City Police Station, District: Amreli for the offences punishable under sections 193, 177, 260, 465, 467, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 484, 420 and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code.

(2.) Mr.Amin, learned advocate for the applicant submits that the alleged offence is regarding forged document, which is alleged to have been committed in the year 2007 and the FIR has been filed in the year 2020 i.e. after 13 years; parties were litigating civil litigation upto High Court and civil dispute is given colour of criminal case; the applicant is aged 75 years and is sick and required medical attention and presently also he is hospitalized; he is local resident and would be available for investigation and trial.

(3.) Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent-State has opposed grant of anticipatory bail looking to the nature and gravity of the offence.