Bail declined in alleged bribery conspiracy case where recovered cash and WhatsApp chats linked the applicant to the offence.

At the bail stage, the Court treated the search, alleged demand of bribe, trap operation, recovery of cash, and controlled WhatsApp exchanges discussing receipt and conversion of the into gold as sufficient incriminating material to connect the applicant with the alleged conspiracy and illegal gratification. The applicant's status as a woman, pregnancy, and the filing of the charge-sheet were not considered enough to displace the gravity of the allegations and the material on record, so bail was declined. The Court also directed expeditious completion of the trial.

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Issues: Whether the applicant was entitled to bail in a case involving allegations of conspiracy, demand and acceptance of illegal gratification, and whether the material on record disclosed a case for release on bail.

Analysis: The record disclosed that a search was conducted by CGST officials, followed by allegations of demand of bribe, a trap operation, recovery of Rs. 70 lakhs, and a controlled WhatsApp conversation between the applicant and a co-accused in which the receipt of the amount and conversion into gold were discussed. The Court treated the conversation and surrounding circumstances as sufficient at the bail stage to connect the applicant with the alleged offence. The applicant's status as a woman, pregnancy, and the filing of charge-sheet were not found sufficient to outweigh the gravity of the and the incriminating material.

Conclusion: Bail was declined and the application was dismissed. The applicant was, however, afforded a direction for expeditious conclusion of the trial.

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