Parity and prolonged custody justified bail after the charge-sheet was filed and similarly placed accused were already released.

Parity with similarly situated co-accused, completion of investigation through filing of the charge-sheet, and prolonged judicial custody supported release on bail. The Court noted that other accused placed similarly had already been granted bail and that the petitioner had remained in custody for about 11 months. On those facts, it extended the benefit of bail to the petitioner.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to bail on the ground that similarly situated co-accused had already been granted bail, the charge-sheet had been filed, and he had remained in custody for a considerable period.

Analysis: The Court noted that persons similarly placed to the petitioner had been released on bail. It further took into account that the charge-sheet had already been filed and that the petitioner had been in judicial custody for about 11 months. On these facts, the Court found it appropriate to extend the benefit of bail to the petitioner.

Conclusion: The petitioner was entitled to bail.

Ratio Decidendi: Where similarly situated accused have been granted bail and the investigation is complete, parity and prolonged custody may justify release on bail.

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