Mumbai, May 3, 2024 – Ansari Faizan @ Ansari Faijan Anis Ahamad Khan, accused in a 2014 negligence case, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai. Additional Sessions Judge N. P. Tribhuwan allowed Khan’s bail application (Criminal Bail Application No. 1108 of 2024), citing the potential impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on the accused’s ability to attend court.
Khan was arrested in connection with Crime No. 24/2014, registered at Gaondevi Police Station, for offenses punishable under sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others)1 of the Indian Penal Code2 (IPC).
Prosecution’s Case:
The prosecution filed a charge sheet against Khan in 2015. However, Khan failed to appear in court, leading to the issuance of repeated non-bailable warrants. He remained absconding until his arrest on April 25, 2024, under the execution of a non-bailable warrant. The trial court had rejected Khan’s bail application.
Defense Arguments:
Khan’s advocate, Mohd. Taha Khan, argued that his client’s absence from court was not intentional and was due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. He emphasized that Khan is a poor man and 29 years old.
Court’s Decision:
Judge Tribhuwan acknowledged the prosecution’s case but also recognized the potential impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on court proceedings. He noted that courts were functioning under Standard Operating Systems issued by the Supreme Court and High Court during the pandemic. Considering the nature of the offenses and the possibility that Khan’s absence was unintentional, the court deemed it desirable to grant him bail.
Conditions of Bail:
Judge Tribhuwan granted Khan bail on the following conditions:
- Khan must execute a personal bond of ₹15,000 and provide one or more sureties of the same amount.
- He must not tamper with any prosecution witnesses, directly or indirectly.
- He must inform the court of his latest place of residence and mobile number immediately after being released and report any changes to these details.
- He must appear before the court regularly on the given dates.
- Bail must be furnished before the learned trial court.
The court concluded that releasing Khan on these conditions would serve the interests of justice.