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2023 (1) TMI 1349 - HC - Money LaunderingSeeking grant of bail - money laundering - while working as a public servant in the capacity of AG-1, Divisional Office, FCI Bhopal, during the check period from 02.12.2016 to 29.05.2021, amassed property 900% disproportionate to his known sources of income - HELD THAT:- Citing several earlier judgments in P. CHIDAMBARAM VERSUS DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT [2019 (9) TMI 286 - SUPREME COURT], the Supreme Court observed that power under Section 438 of CrPC is an extraordinary power and the same has to be exercised sparingly. The privilege of the pre-arrest bail should be granted only in exceptional cases. The judicial discretion conferred upon the court has to be properly exercised after application of mind. Repelling the submission that anticipatory bail is a facet of Article 21 of the Constitution of India and its denial would amount to denial of the right conferred upon under the said Article, the Apex Court stated that "We are conscious of the fact that the legislative intent behind the introduction of Section 438 CrPC is to safeguard the individual's personal liberty and to protect him from the possibility of being humiliated and from being subjected to unnecessary police custody. Coming back to the present case, it is observed that conduct of the petitioner shows that he has deliberately disobeyed the order of the Court and intentionally, willfully and purposely avoided his appearance before the trial Court. The reason assigned by him for his non-appearance lacks bona fide. His conduct speaks loudly and clearly that he is avoiding his presence and is not cooperating with the trial. He is trying to make the straight path crooked to achieve his object to somehow get bail under the cover of a petition under Section 482 of CrPC by avoiding the jurisdictional Bench which refused to accede to his similar prayer. Such practices malign the noble image of the great institution and spread an impression that by twisting and turning the law, a desired lousy and atrocious result can be obtained. It is further observed that even lenient view taken by the trial Court to facilitate the petitioner to appear before it by keeping the arrest warrant issued against him at abeyance could not mend him to honour the process of the Court. Taking into consideration the fact that despite ample opportunities being given, the petitioner has not bothered to appear before the trial Court. He defied the direction of the Court knowingly and willfully. No reason has been demonstrated to show that the findings of the trial Court are perverse or contrary to the record or suffers from any illegality, irregularity or impropriety so as to invite our interference in the orders impugned. Thus, there are no error being committed by the trial Court in rejecting the petitioner’s application under Section 70(2) of CrPC. Petition dismissed.
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