Transit anticipatory bail in a GST investigation was granted to let accused approach the jurisdictional court under strict conditions.

Transit anticipatory bail was granted in a GST investigation to allow the petitioners to approach the jurisdictional court for regular anticipatory bail. The Court applied the principle governing interim protective relief, and granted limited protection without expressing any view on the merits of the allegations. Relief was conditioned on execution of bond with sureties, cooperation with the investigation, and surrender of passports, reflecting the Court's concern to balance the applicants' apprehension of arrest against the need to secure the investigation and address flight risk.

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Issues: Whether the petitioners, who apprehended arrest in a GST investigation, were entitled to transit anticipatory bail for a limited period to enable them to approach the jurisdictional court for anticipatory bail.

Analysis: The petitioners sought only a limited protective order to facilitate approaching the court having jurisdiction at Chennai. The Court relied on the principle governing interim anticipatory bail and granted relief without expressing any view on the merits of the allegations, while also taking note of the apprehension of flight risk and the need to secure the investigation by appropriate conditions.

Conclusion: Transit anticipatory bail was granted for ten days, subject to conditions including execution of bond with sureties, co-operation with the investigation, and surrender of passports.

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