Regular bail in alleged GST evasion case granted after prolonged custody and delayed trial weighed in favour of release

Regular bail was considered in a matter involving alleged GST evasion, cheating and forgery, with the court weighing the petitioner's custody since 2.2.2021, parity with co-accused including the main accused who had been granted bail, and the likely delay in trial where 22 prosecution witnesses were cited but none had been examined. The prolonged custody and the early stage of trial were treated as factors favouring release, and the petitioner was held entitled to regular bail.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to regular bail in a case involving alleged GST evasion, cheating and forgery.

Analysis: The petition was considered in the context of the allegations, the petitioner's custody since 2.2.2021, the grant of bail to several co-accused including the main accused, and the likelihood that the trial would take time as 22 prosecution witnesses had been cited and none had been examined. On these facts, the period of custody and the stage of trial weighed in favour of release on bail.

Conclusion: The petitioner was entitled to regular bail.

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