2023 (1) TMI 1497 - HC - GST

Bail application dismissed as not pressed; applicant allowed two weeks to file fresh bail for expeditious merits decision.

The HC dismissed the instant bail application as not pressed, granting the applicant liberty to appear before the court concerned within two weeks and ... Seeking grant of bail - it is submitted that the instant bail application of the applicant may be dismissed as not pressed with liberty that if applicant appears before the court concerned within two weeks - HELD THAT:- The instant bail application stands dismissed as not pressed with liberty that if applicant appears before the court concerned within two weeks and applies for bail then his bail application shall be decided by the court concerned on merit, expeditiously, in accordance with law. Application for bail in complaint No. 88 of 2020 under Sections 132(1)(c) and 132(1)(i) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act was withdrawn and the bail petition 'stands dismissed as not pressed.' The applicant had earlier been released on short-term bail during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the short-term bail extended by higher court orders, but subsequently failed to appear and remains not in custody. The court granted liberty that if the applicant appears before the trial court within two weeks and applies for bail, then that court 'shall decide his bail application on merit, expeditiously, in accordance with law,' preferably on the same day, taking into account that the applicant had been previously released on short-term bail.