Sumrat @ Bahadur v. State of NCT of Delhi

Delhi High Court · 14 Jan 2026 · 2026:DHC:303
Girish Kathpalia
BAIL APPLICATION 127/2026
2026:DHC:303
criminal appeal_allowed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court granted bail to the accused implicated only in recovery of stolen property with limited evidence and no direct identification, emphasizing that prolonged custody without substantial reason is unjustified.

Full Text
Translation output
BAIL APPLICATION 127/2026
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 14.01.2026
BAIL APPLN. 127/2026 & CRL.M.A. 1072/2026
SUMRAT @ BAHADUR .....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Malvika Kulkarni, Advocate.
VERSUS
STATE OF NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Amit Ahlawat, APP for State
WITH
Inspector Sanjeev Kumar and SI
Rameshwer, PS HNRS.
CORAM: JUSTICE GIRISH KATHPALIA
JUDGMENT
(ORAL)

1. The accused/applicant seeks regular bail in case FIR No.02/2023 of PS HNRS for offence under Section 411/413 IPC.

2. Broadly speaking, the allegation against the accused/applicant is recovery of only one stolen mobile phone from his possession. It is also an admitted position that initially the accused/applicant was not arrested and chargesheet was filed without arrest but subsequently on account of his involvement in few other cases, the accused/applicant was arrested on 20.06.2023. Since that day he is in custody.

BAIL APPLICATION 127/2026 pages

3. The complainant de facto was naturally not able to identify the accused/applicant as allegation against him is not of theft but of recovery of the allegedly stolen mobile phone. As regards the other involvements, admittedly in most of the cases the accused/applicant stands acquitted. So far as the alleged recovery proceedings are concerned, there was only one witness, that too a police official. As mentioned above, the accused/applicant is in jail since 20.06.2023 and cannot be incarcerated further without any substantial reason.

4. Considering the above circumstances, the Bail Application is allowed and accused/applicant is directed to be released on bail, subject to his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.10,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. Accompanying application also stands disposed of.

5. A copy of this order be immediately transmitted to the concerned Jail Superintendent for informing the accused/applicant.

GIRISH KATHPALIA (JUDGE) JANUARY 14, 2026