UNION OF INDIA v. SHRI SHIV SHANKER KESARI

A

SEPTEMBER 14, 2007

B

Words and phrases: Word 'reasonable'-Meaning of-Discussed

D Prosecution case was that the respondent was found in possession of huge quantity of poppy straw. The Special Judge rejected the bail application made by the respondent. The High Court by the impugned order accepted the prayer for bail on the ground that the recovery was not from the exclusive possession of the accused-respondent and other members of the family are involved in the case. E In appeal to this court, appellant contended that prayer for bail was rightly rejected by the District Judge in terms ofS. 37 of the NDPS Act after elaborately dealing with the background facts.

H 964

U.0.1. v. SHRISHIVSHANKERKESARI 965 and circumstances as are sufficient in themselves to justify recording of satisfaction that the accused is not guilty of the offence charged. !Paras 6 and 7) (967-G, H; 968-A, Bl

2.1. The word "reasonable" has in law the prima facie meaning of reasonable in regard to those circumstances of which the actor, called on to act reasonably, knows or ought to know. It is difficult to give an exact definition of the word 'reasonable'. Stroud's Judicial Dictionary, Fourth Edition, page 2258 states that it would be unreasonable to expect an exact definition of the word "reasonable'. Reason varies in its conclusions according t{) the idiosyncrasy of the individual, and the times and circumstances in which he thinks. The reasoning which built up the old scholastic logic sounds now like the jingling of a child's toy. It is often said "an attempt to give a specific meaning to the word 'reasonable' is trying to count what is not number and measure what is not space". IParas 8 and 9) 1968-C, D, E)

Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Mis Jagan Nath Ashok Kumar and Anr., 119871 4 SCC 497 and Gujarat Water Supplies and Sewerage Board v. D Unique Erectors (Gujarat) Pvt. Ltd and Anr., (198911 SCC 532, relied on.

2.2. The word 'reasonable' signifies "in accordance with reason". In the ultimate analysis it is a question of fact, whether a particular act is reasonable or not depends on the circumstances in a given situation. (Para 1011968-F) E Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Anr. v. Kam/a Mills Ltd, 120031 6 sec 315, relied on.

3. The Court while considering the application for bail with reference to S. 37 of the Act is not called upon to record a finding of not guilty. It is for the limited purpose essentially confined to the question of releasing the accused on bail that the Court is called upon to see if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty and records its satisfaction about the existence of such grounds. But the Court has not to consider the matter as if it is pronouncing a judgment of acquittal and recording a finding of not guilty. Additionally, the Court has to record a finding that while on bail the accused is not likely to commit any offence and there should also exist some materials to come to such a conclusion. (Paras 1 t and 1211968-G, H; 969-A, B\

4. In the instant case, it appears that there was a statement recorded H

%6 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 9 S.C.R.

A under S. 67 of the Act The respondent has taken a stand that the same was under coercion. The acceptability of such a stand is a matter of trial. Additionally, the High Court has not indicated any reason as to why it was of the view that the contraband articles were not seized from the exclusive possession of the accused-respondent. (Para 13) (969-B, C)

B CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal No. 1223 of 2007.

From the Judgment and Order dated 22.03.2005 of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in Bail No. 5291 of2005.

C Vikas Singh, ASG., Indra Sawhney and Sushma Suri for the Appellant.

Manoj Prasad for the Respondent.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

D DR. ARIJIT PASAYA T, J. I. Leave granted.

2. Challenge in this appeal is to the grant of bail by a learned Single Judge of the Allahabad High Court to the respondent who was charged for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 8, 15, 27A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (in short the E 'Act'). Allegation was that he was found to be in possession of huge quantity of poppy straw. It is the case of the prosecution that the raiding party seized nearly 400 Kg. of poppy straw from the possession of the accused-respondent. The prayer for bail made by the respondent was rejected by learned Special Judge (NDPS Act), Varanasi. The High Court by the impugned order accepted F the prayer for bail on the ground that the recovery was not from the exclusive possession of the ·accused-respondent and other members of the family are involved in the case. It was noted that the respondent had no criminal history. Accordingly, the prayer for grant of bail was allowed.

3. According to learned counsel for the appellant'the parameters of G Section 37 of the Act have not been kept in view while accepting the prayer for grant of bail. It was pointed out that huge quantity of poppy straw was recovered from the possession of the respondent from house No.K.63/121, Gola D~,ena Nath, Varanasi. It is submitted that the prayer for bail was rejected by the District Judge in terms ·Of Section 37 of the Act after elaborately dealing with the background facts. Bail can only be granted on fulfilllnent of H

U.0.1. v. SHRISHNSHANKERKESARI[PASAYAT,J.] 967

two conditions i.e. (i) where there are reasonable grounds for believing that A the accused is not guilty of the offence and (ii) that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. Learned Single Judge while accepting the prayer for bail has not recorded any finding that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused was not guilty. Further, no finding has been recorded that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. B

4. Learned counsel for the respondent on the other hand submitted that the prosecution has failed to establish exclusive possession and the applicant- respondent had no criminal history. Therefore, it was submitted that the order of the High Court does not suffer from any infirmity.

5. Section 37 of the Act reads as follows: c "Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable-(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2) of 1974,-

(a) every offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable; D (b) no person accused of an offence punishable for a term of imprisonment of five years or more under this Act shall be released on bail or on his own bond unless- (i) the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose E the application for such release, and (ii) where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to ro~it~o~~~~oo~. F (2) The limitations on granting of bail specified in clause (b) of su,b- section (1) are in addition to the limitations under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or any other law for the time being in force on granting of bail".

6. As the provision itself provides no person shall be granted bail G unless the two conditions are satisfied. They are; the satisfaction of the Court that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. Both the conditions have to be satisfied. If either of these two conditions is not satisfied, the bar operates and the accused cannot be released on bail. H

p. 968

A 7. The expression used in Section 37 (I)(b) (ii) is "reasonable grounds". The expression means something more than prima facie grounds. It connotes substantial probable causes for believing that the accused is not guilty of the offence charged and this reasonable belief contemplated in·.tum points to existence of such facts and circumstances as are sufficient in themselves to B justify recording of satisfaction that the accused is not guilty of the offence charged.

8Copy pinpoint8. The word "reasonable" has in law the prima facie meaning ofreasonable in regard to those circumstances of which the actor, called on to act reasonably, knows or ought to know. It is difficult to give an ~xact definition of the word C 'reasonable'. Stroud's Judicial Dictionary, Fourth Edition, page 2258 states that it would be unreasonable to expect an exact definition of the word "reasonable'. Reason varies in its conclusions according to the idiosyncrasy of the individual, and the times and circumstances in which he thinks. The reasoning which built up the old scholastic logic sounds now like the jingling of a child's toy. (See: Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Mis Jagan Nath Ashok Kumar D and Anr., [1987] 4 SCC 497. and Gujarat Water Supplies and Sewerr,;ige Board v. Unique Erectors (Gujarat) Pvt. Ltd. and Anr., [i 989] I SCC 532).

9Copy pinpoint9. It is often said "an attempt to give a specific meaning to the word 'reasonable' is trying to count what is not number and measure what is not space". The author of 'Words and Phrases' (Permanent Edition) has quoted E from in re Nice & Schreiber 123 F. 987, 988 to give a plausible meaning for the said word. He says, "the expression 'reasonable' is a relative term, and the facts of the particular controversy must be considered before the question as to what constitutes reasonable can be determined". It is nc;>t meant to be expedient or convenient but certainly something more than that. F ,...

10Copy pinpoint10. The word 'reasonable' signifies "in accordance with reason". In the ultimate analysis it is a question of fact, whether a particular act is reasonable or not depends on the circumstances in a given situation. (See: Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Anr. v. Kam/a Mills Ltd., [2003] 6 SCC 315). G

11Copy pinpoint11. The Court while considering the application for bail with reference to Section 37 of the Act is not called upon to record a finding of not guilty. It is for the limited purpose essentially confined to the question of releasing the accused on bail that' the Court is dilled upon to see if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty and records its satisfaction about the existence of such grounds. But the Court has not to consider the

U.O.I. v. SHRISHIVSHANKERKESARI[PASAYAT,J.] 969

matter as if it is pronouncing a judgment of acquittal and recording a finding of not guilty.

12Copy pinpoint12. Additionally, the Court has to record a finding that while on bail the accused is not likely to commit any offence and there should also exist some materials to come to such a conclusion. B

13Copy pinpoint13. In the instant case, it appears that there was a statement recorded under Section 67 of the Act. The respondent has taken a stand that the same was under coercion. The acceptability of such a stand is a matter of trial. Additionally, the High Court has not indicated any reason as to why it was of the view that the contraband articles were not seized from the exclusive C possession of the accused-respondent.

14Copy pinpoint14. Above being the position, the impugned order is clearly unsustainable and is set aside. The bail application shall be considered afresh by the High Court keeping in view the parameters of Section 37 of the Act. The bail application shall be taken up after the accused surrenders to custody. D The accused-respondent is directed to forthwith surrender to custody. The High Court would do well to dispose of the bail application expeditiously after the accused surrenders to custody.

15Copy pinpoint15. The appeal is allowed. E D.G. Appeal allowed.