2025 (6) TMI 661 - HC - GST

Grant of interim bail - HELD THAT - Concededly the applicants have not surrendered till date and their applications seeking regular bail were dismissed for non-compliance of the order dated 24th March 2023 passed by the Hon ble Supreme Court. As the applicants are not in custody therefore their prayer for regular bail cannot be considered - The applications are dismissed.

Summary

The Allahabad High Court, presided by Hon'ble Manoj Bajaj, J., dismissed separate applications filed under Section 439 CrPC by applicants Dushyant Chaudhary, Sanjay Jain, and Nikhil Goel seeking regular bail during trial for offences under Sections 132(1)(b), 132(1)(c), and 132(1)(i) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. The applicants were on interim bail granted pursuant to the Supreme Court's suo moto Writ Petition (C) No. 01/2020, issued due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Supreme Court withdrew this concession by order dated 24th March 2023, directing prisoners released under the emergent order to surrender within 15 days. The applicants failed to comply and did not surrender, leading to dismissal of their bail applications for non-compliance. Since the applicants are not in custody, their prayer for regular bail was held non-maintainable and accordingly rejected.