Regular bail after charge-sheet filing depends on necessity of custody, risk of tampering, and tailored conditions.

Regular bail in corruption cases depends on whether continued custody remains necessary after filing of the charge-sheet and whether the prosecution can show a concrete risk of tampering with evidence or absconding. The commentary notes that prolonged detention should not operate as pre-conviction punishment, and that concerns about appearance, cooperation, residence, and non-interference with the investigation can be addressed through stringent conditions. It also refers to the statutory time limit relevant to default bail where the charge-sheet is not filed in time. The discussion emphasises that liberty and investigation can be balanced through tailored bail conditions where further custody is not justified.

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Issues: Whether the applicant was entitled to regular bail in a corruption case despite filing of charge-sheet, continuation of further investigation, and the prosecution apprehension of tampering with evidence.

Analysis: The application was considered in the light of the filing of the charge-sheet, the applicant's custody since 25.12.2019, his willingness to remain available for voice spectography, the limited material placed to show real risk of tampering, and the settled principles governing bail that liberty is not to be curtailed as punishment before conviction. The Court also noted that the prosecution had not shown that custodial detention was still for investigation, and that appropriate conditions could address concerns regarding appearance, residence, and cooperation with investigation. The right to release on default bail was also noticed in the context of the statutory time limit for filing charge-sheet.

Conclusion: The applicant was held entitled to regular bail, subject to stringent conditions, and the bail application was allowed.

Final Conclusion: Liberty was restored by granting bail while safeguarding the investigation through detailed conditions requiring availability, cooperation, and restraint from interfering with evidence.

Ratio Decidendi: Where the charge-sheet is filed and the prosecution does not demonstrate a compelling necessity for continued custody or a concrete risk of interference with the investigation, regular bail may be granted subject to stringent conditions to secure the accused's presence and protect the process.

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