Bail under Section 439 CrPC granted in excise prosecution, with lockdown and surety difficulties considered.

Bail under Section 439 CrPC was considered in a prosecution under the Rajasthan Excise Act, where the Court noted the alleged recovery of a large quantity of liquor but also took into account the lockdown, COVID-19 conditions, and difficulty in furnishing sureties. Without expressing any opinion on the merits, the Court accepted the bail request and directed release on a personal bond, subject to appearance before the trial court as directed. Bail was granted.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in relation to the alleged offence under the Rajasthan Excise Act.

Analysis: The application was considered in the context of the alleged recovery of a large quantity of liquor, but the Court also took into account the prevailing lockdown and COVID-19 , including the difficulty in furnishing sureties. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the Court found it to accept the bail request and permitted release on a personal bond with a condition to appear before the trial court as directed.

Conclusion: Bail was granted to the petitioner.

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