Regular bail in tax prosecution granted after substantial custody, part payment, and continuing asset attachment secured the claims.

Regular bail was granted in a tax prosecution arising under the Central Excise Act, the Finance Act and the CGST Act because the petitioners had already spent substantial time in custody, part payment had been made towards the alleged liability, and further incarceration was found to serve no useful purpose. The Court also noted that the pending attachment of movable and immovable assets would continue to secure the claims of investors and customers. Bail was made subject to furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Hisar.

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Issues: Whether the petitioners were entitled to regular bail in the tax prosecution and whether continued custody was warranted in the facts of the case.

Analysis: The petition concerned alleged offences under the Central Excise Act, the Finance Act and the Central Goods and Services Tax Act arising from the company's alleged failure to discharge tax liability. The petitioners had already remained in custody for substantial periods in the predicate and connected proceedings, part payment had been made towards the liability, and the Court found that no useful purpose would be served by further incarceration. The Court also recorded that the pending attachment of movable and immovable assets would continue to secure the claims of investors and customers.

Conclusion: The petitioners were granted regular bail subject to furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Hisar.

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