Parity among similarly situated accused justified anticipatory bail, subject to investigation safeguards and police remand rights.

Under Section 438 CrPC, anticipatory bail was granted where similarly situated co-accused had already received bail or anticipatory bail in connected matters. The Court treated parity as a sufficient ground for protection against arrest and imposed standard safeguards, including cooperation with investigation, availability for interrogation, attendance at the police station, and restraints on tampering with evidence or leaving India without permission. The investigating agency's right to seek police remand before the Magistrate was preserved.

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Issues: Whether the applicant was entitled to anticipatory bail in respect of the offences alleged in the FIR.

Analysis: The application was considered under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Court noted that similarly situated accused had already been granted anticipatory bail or bail in connected matters, and on that basis found the applicant's case for protection against arrest to be made out. The relief was granted with standard conditions, including cooperation with investigation, availability for interrogation, attendance before the police station, and restrictions on tampering with evidence or leaving India without permission. The order also preserved the investigating agency's right to seek police remand before the Magistrate.

Conclusion: Anticipatory bail was granted to the applicant.

Ratio Decidendi: Parity with similarly situated accused can justify grant of anticipatory bail, subject to appropriate conditions safeguarding investigation.

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