Anticipatory bail granted where no prior conviction was shown and other cases alone could not justify denial of arrest protection.

Anticipatory bail may be granted where the investigation is pending and the record does not establish prior conviction in other matters. The Court noted that mere pendency of other cases, without proof of conviction, was insufficient to treat the applicant as a serial law breaker or to deny protection from arrest. On that basis, the applicant was found entitled to anticipatory bail and interim protection from arrest was confirmed.

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Issues: Whether the applicant was entitled to anticipatory bail and protection from arrest in the circumstances of the investigation.

Analysis: The application was considered in the context of the pending investigation, the allegation that the applicant was absconding, and the claim that there were other cases against him. The Court noted that no document was produced to show that the applicant had been convicted in any of those matters. On that basis, the Court held that the mere existence of cases could not justify treating the applicant as a serial law breaker. The Court therefore found that the applicant deserved protection from arrest.

Conclusion: The applicant was held entitled to anticipatory bail and interim protection from arrest was confirmed.

Ratio Decidendi: Anticipatory bail may be granted where the record does not establish prior conviction and the circumstances do not justify denial of protection from arrest.

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