Regular bail in GST prosecution granted after limited custody, Magistrate-triable offence, and no need for continued detention.

Regular bail was granted in a GST complaint after the Court considered the nature of the allegations, the stage of trial, the forum of trial, the maximum sentence prescribed, and the custody already undergone. The offence was triable by the Magistrate, and the petitioner had spent about six months in custody out of a five-year maximum sentence. On those facts, continued detention was found unnecessary for the ends of justice, and the principle that bail is the rule and jail is the exception was applied.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to regular bail in a complaint alleging offences under the GST law.

Analysis: The petition was considered in the light of the nature of the allegations, the stage and forum of trial, the maximum sentence prescribed, and the period of custody already undergone. The Court noted that the offence was triable by the Magistrate and that the petitioner had already remained in custody for about six months out of a total sentence of five years. On those facts, continued detention was found unnecessary for the ends of justice, and the principle that bail is the rule and jail is the exception was applied.

Conclusion: Regular bail was granted to the petitioner.

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