🔹Section 437 & 438 – Bail and Anticipatory Bail (CrPC, 1973)
🔹Short Note (Hindi):
Section 437 aur 438 dono bail ke important provisions hain.
- Sec 437: Jab insaan already jail me hai (arrested), to usse regular bail mil sakti hai.
- Sec 438: Jab kisi ko darr hai ki usse arrest kiya ja sakta hai, to wo pehle se hi anticipatory bail le sakta hai.
🔹 Full Description (English + Hindi):
🔹 Meaning:
Bail ka matlab hota hai — temporary release of a person from custody, with an assurance that he will appear before the court when required.
Section 437 deals with bail after arrest, and Section 438 deals with bail before arrest (anticipatory bail).
🔹 Section 437 – Bail in Non-Bailable Offences
🔹 Applicable To:
- Magistrate ke paas power hoti hai ki wo non-bailable offences me bail de sakta hai, agar offence life imprisonment ya death penalty se punishable nahi hai.
🔹 Key Rules:
- Agar accused non-bailable offence me arrest hua hai, to Magistrate bail de sakta hai, except:
- Agar crime punishable with death or life imprisonment hai aur accused ne pehle bhi aise serious offences kiye ho.
- Women, minors, sick or aged persons ke liye court thoda liberal approach rakhta hai.
- Bail with conditions:
Court bail tabhi deta hai jab:- Accused investigation me cooperate karega.
- Evidence ya witness ko influence nahi karega.
- Court se permission ke bina country nahi chhodega.
- Cancellation of bail:
Agar accused ne bail conditions violate ki, to court bail cancel kar sakta hai.
🔹 Example:
Police ne kisi ko non-bailable offence me arrest kiya. Accused ne Section 437 ke under court me application diya. Court ne uski medical condition aur cooperation dekh kar bail grant kar di.
🔹 Section 438 – Anticipatory Bail
🔹 Applicable To:
- Jab kisi insaan ko reasonable apprehension ho ki usse arrest kiya ja sakta hai, to wo anticipatory bail ke liye apply kar sakta hai.
🔹 Meaning:
Anticipatory bail ek protective measure hai — jisse kisi bhi innocent person ko unnecessary arrest se bachaya ja sake.
🔹 Power to Grant:
- Sirf Sessions Court ya High Court ke paas power hoti hai anticipatory bail dene ki.
🔹 Important Points:
- Application timing: Arrest hone se pehle hi file hoti hai.
- Court conditions:
Court kuch conditions laga sakta hai jaise –- Accused investigation me cooperate kare.
- Evidence destroy nahi kare.
- Witness ko influence nahi kare.
- Duration:
Anticipatory bail tab tak effective rahegi jab tak court otherwise decide na kare.
🔹 Cancellation:
Prosecution ya complainant court me application de kar anticipatory bail cancel karwa sakta hai agar misuse ho raha ho.
🔹 Difference Between Regular Bail & Anticipatory Bail:
| Basis | Regular Bail (Sec 437) | Anticipatory Bail (Sec 438) |
|---|---|---|
| When Applied | After arrest | Before arrest |
| Court Power | Magistrate | Sessions Court / High Court |
| Purpose | Release from custody | Protection from arrest |
| Applicable For | Person already arrested | Person fearing arrest |
| Example | Accused arrested in non-bailable case | Businessman fears false FIR, applies for anticipatory bail |
🔹 Important Case Laws:
- Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia vs. State of Punjab (1980):
Supreme Court ne clarify kiya – anticipatory bail ek fundamental right nahi hai, but court use grant kar sakta hai based on facts. - Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre vs. State of Maharashtra (2011):
Court ne kaha – anticipatory bail liberally interpret karni chahiye to protect personal liberty. - Arnesh Kumar vs. State of Bihar (2014):
Police ko arrest karne se pehle guidelines follow karne ke liye kaha gaya to prevent misuse of power.
🔹 Summary Table:
| Particulars | Section 437 | Section 438 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Regular Bail | Anticipatory Bail |
| When Applied | After arrest | Before arrest |
| Court Power | Magistrate | Sessions / High Court |
| Purpose | Release from custody | Protection from arrest |
| Applicable For | Non-bailable offence | Fear of arrest in false case |
| Cancellation | By Magistrate | By Sessions/High Court |
🔹Nyay Neeti Advice:
- Agar police ne arrest kar liya hai → Sec 437 ke under bail file karo.
- Agar arrest ka darr hai → Sec 438 ke under anticipatory bail lo.
- Always hire a criminal lawyer to draft proper bail application.
- Court me hamesha genuine reason aur clean record dikhana important hai.
