2025(04)LCX0290

Vineet Jain

Versus

Union of India

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 2269 OF 2025 decided on 28-04-2025

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.2269 OF 2025
(Arising out of S.L.P.(Criminal) No.4349 of 2025)

VINEET JAIN                                 ... APPELLANT(S)

VS.

UNION OF INDIA                     ... RESPONDENT(S)

ORDER

Leave granted.

Heard the learned counsel appearing for the appellant and the learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the respondent-Union of India.

The offences alleged against the appellant are under Clauses (c), (f) and (h) of Section 132(1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. The maximum sentence is of 5 years with fine. A charge-sheet has been filed. The appellant is in custody for a period of almost 7 months. The case is triable by a Court of a Judicial Magistrate. The sentence is limited and in any case, the prosecution is based on documentary evidence.

We are surprised to note that in a case like this, the appellant has been denied the benefit of bail at all levels, including the High Court and ultimately, he was forced to approach this Court. These are the cases where in normal course, before the Trial Courts, the accused should get bail unless there are some extra ordinary circumstances.

By setting aside the impugned order dated 24th January, 2025 of the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Bench at Jaipur, we grant bail to the appellant. The appellant shall be immediately produced before the Trial Court and the Trial Court shall enlarge him on bail on appropriate terms and conditions till the conclusion of the trial.

The appeal is accordingly allowed.

..........................J.
(ABHAY S.OKA)

..........................J.
(UJJAL BHUYAN)

NEW DELHI;
April 28, 2025

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 4349/2025

[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 24-01-2025 in SBCRMBA No. 14999/2024 passed by the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Bench at Jaipur]

VINEET JAIN                     Petitioner(s)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA         Respondent(s)

(FOR ADMISSION
IA No. 73667/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.)

Date : 28-04-2025 This matter was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABHAY S. OKA
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE UJJAL BHUYAN

For Petitioner(s) :
                            Mr. Bhupendra Pratap Singh, Adv.
                            Mr. Devendra Kumar Shukla, AOR
                            Mr. Nakul Nirwan, Adv.
                            Mr. Rishabha Singh, Adv.

For Respondent(s) :
Mr. Raghvendra P.Shankar,ASG
Mr. Gurmeet Singh Makker, AOR
Mr. Karan Lahiri,Adv.
Mr. B.K.Satija,Adv.
Mr. Bhuvan Kapoor,Adv.

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following
ORDER

Leave granted.

The appeal is allowed in terms of the signed order. By setting aside the impugned order dated 24th January, 2025 of the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Bench at Jaipur, we grant bail to the appellant. The appellant shall be immediately produced before the Trial Court and the Trial Court shall enlarge him on bail on appropriate terms and conditions till the conclusion of the trial.

Pending application also stands disposed of.