LAWS(BOM)-2008-4-8

PRASHANT KISHOR MEHETA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Decided On April 23, 2008
PRASHANT KISHOR MEHTA Appellant
V/S
STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The issue raised in the present case is of potential significance in relation to grant of bail in anticipation of arrest, popularly known as "Anticipatory Bail" and in particular with respect to the power of the Court in fixing duration of the anticipatory bail.

(2.) It is not necessary to trace factual matrix. Suffice it to say that by the impugned order impugned in the present application, the Sessions Court of Greater Bombay has granted anticipatory bail only for nine days with direction to the accused to surrender before the remand court on or before 30th July, 2007 with liberty to apply for regular bail.

(3.) Numerous such orders are passed by the various Sessions Courts falling within the jurisdiction of this Court giving rise to the aforesaid legal issue. The parties are different but the legal issue raised is identical, as such all these cases were heard together and the issue raised is being answered by this order, reserving the liberty to consider individual cases on their own merits. Submissions: