Bail pending trial where custody was prolonged and investigation had substantially progressed through filing of charge sheets.

Prolonged custody of an accused, combined with completion of investigation through filing of the charge sheet and supplementary charge sheet, justified release on bail pending trial. The Court treated the continued detention as unnecessary in those circumstances and granted bail on terms and conditions to be fixed by the trial court, while expressly declining to express any opinion on the merits of the prosecution case.

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Issues: Whether the appellant, who had remained in custody for more than one year and against whom the charge sheet and supplementary charge sheet had been filed, was entitled to bail pending trial.

Analysis: The Court noted the length of incarceration and the fact that investigation had substantially progressed with filing of the charge sheet and supplementary charge sheet. In these circumstances, the Court found that further custodial detention of the appellant was not required. The order also records that no opinion was being expressed on the merits of the prosecution case and that the grant of bail was for the limited purpose of release pending trial.

Conclusion: The appellant was held entitled to release on bail on such terms and conditions as the trial court may impose.

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