Mumbai, August 25th, 2022: The Sessions Court for Greater Bombay has granted bail to Durgaprasad Hari Shankar Varma, also known as Lala, a 21-year-old businessman accused in a stabbing incident in Mankhurd. Additional Sessions Judge Shri. M.S. Kulkarni, in an order dated August 18th, 2022, approved the bail application while imposing several conditions on Varma, citing the need to balance personal liberty with the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing investigation.
Varma was arrested on July 15th, 2022, in connection with C.R.No. 648/2022 registered at Mankhurd Police Station. He is accused of offenses under Sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as sections of the Maharashtra Police Act.
The case originates from an incident on June 25th, 2022, where Anand Rajbhar was allegedly stabbed. According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Satish Rajbhar, the victim’s brother, both the accused and the victim were friends. The FIR states that on the night of the incident, the victim, along with two others, was near a water pipe beneath the Mankhurd railway station overbridge when Varma arrived. A dispute reportedly erupted between Varma and Anand. During the altercation, Varma allegedly took a knife from his vegetable vendor mother’s nearby shop and stabbed Anand in the stomach.
The victim was initially taken to multiple hospitals, including Rajawadi, Apex, Sandhya, before finally being admitted to Sion Hospital for treatment.
Varma, seeking bail, argued through his lawyer Mr. Kewat that the stringent charge of Section 326 IPC was not applicable, suggesting Section 335 IPC (causing grievous hurt on grave and sudden provocation) might be more relevant. The defense also pointed to inconsistencies in the FIR and medical reports, highlighting a mention of Rajawadi hospital which they claimed the victim never visited, and noting a hand injury recorded in a Sandhya hospital report, while the prosecution alleged a stomach stab wound. Furthermore, it was argued that the victim had been discharged from the hospital and was recovering, and that Varma was a permanent resident of Mumbai with no prior criminal record, willing to adhere to bail conditions.
The prosecution, led by Ld.APP Mr. Ramesh Siroya, opposed bail, citing the ongoing investigation and the possibility of Varma absconding if released.
Judge Kulkarni, after reviewing the arguments and medical documents, acknowledged the defense’s points but emphasized that medical records confirmed a stabbing injury to the stomach, along with another injury. While noting the prosecution’s failure to provide updates on the victim’s current condition beyond his discharge, the court stated that generalized objections were insufficient to deny bail in this situation.
However, considering the seriousness of the offenses, the court decided to grant bail but with stringent conditions. Varma was ordered to be released on a Personal Bond and Surety Bond of ₹30,000 each. A provisional cash security of ₹30,000 was also permitted for two months, within which Varma must furnish the required surety.
Furthermore, the court mandated weekly attendance for Varma at Mankhurd police station every Wednesday between 10 am and 11 am until the charge sheet is filed. He is also prohibited from contacting the first informant and witnesses for a year, and must not flee from justice, tamper with evidence, or hinder the investigation. The bail1 is to be executed before the trial court.
The granting of bail with these conditions reflects the court’s attempt to balance the accused’s right to freedom with the need for a fair investigation and to address the gravity of the alleged offense. The case highlights the complexities of personal disputes turning violent and the subsequent legal processes involved in ensuring justice and maintaining public order.