Anticipatory bail in economic offences investigation granted where evidence was documentary and no tampering risk was shown.

Anticipatory bail was granted where the investigation was still continuing, the evidence was largely documentary, and there was no material suggesting a real risk of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. The applicant had joined the investigation, and the record did not show persistent non-cooperation. In an economic offences inquiry, the absence of a charge-sheet or complaint, together with the documentary nature of the material, weighed in favour of protection from arrest. The Court held that the relevant bail considerations supported anticipatory bail on the facts presented.

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Issues: Whether anticipatory bail should be granted in a case where the investigation was continuing, the evidence was largely documentary, and no material showed a likelihood of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.

Analysis: The allegations arose from an economic offences investigation, but the predicate proceedings had not culminated in a charge-sheet or complaint. The record indicated that the applicant had joined the investigation and there was no material showing persistent non-cooperation. The evidence was essentially documentary in nature, and the Court found no real basis to apprehend tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. In these circumstances, the considerations relevant to grant of anticipatory bail weighed in favour of protection from arrest.

Conclusion: Anticipatory bail was granted.

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