Bail in a CGST prosecution granted where custodial interrogation was unnecessary and no flight risk was shown.

Bail in a CGST prosecution was granted where the Court found no persuasive need for further custodial interrogation, no specific material showing the accused was a flight risk, and no prior similar involvement on record. Applying settled bail factors, including prima facie involvement, gravity of accusation, severity of punishment, likelihood of absconding, repetition, and witness tampering, the Court held that continued custody was not justified on speculative concerns about the investigation or possible non-filing of complaint within time. The application was allowed on conditions.

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Issues: Whether the applicant, accused of offences under the CGST law, was entitled to bail on consideration of the gravity of allegations, custody already undergone, need for custodial interrogation, and the risk of interference with investigation.

Analysis: Bail was assessed on the well-settled parameters of prima facie involvement, gravity of accusation, severity of punishment, likelihood of absconding, possibility of repetition, and apprehension of witness tampering. The material before the Court showed that the accused had already been sent to judicial custody, no prior similar involvement was brought on record, and no specific material suggested that he was a flight risk. The Court also found no persuasive basis to keep him in custody for further custodial interrogation. The pendency of investigation and the possibility of non-filing of complaint within the stipulated time were treated as speculative, and the continued custody was not justified merely because another person was not joining the investigation.

Conclusion: Bail was granted to the applicant on conditions, and the application was allowed.

Ratio Decidendi: In an economic offence under the CGST law, bail may be granted where the accused is not shown to be for custodial interrogation, is not a flight risk, and the established bail factors do not justify further detention.

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