The Gujarat High Court has granted regular bail to a man accused in an assault case registered at Vidhyanagar Police Station in Anand district, observing that the investigation is complete and the charge sheet has already been filed. While extending relief, the Court imposed strict conditions, including a six-month ban on the accused entering Anand district.
Background of the Case
The case arose from an FIR alleging that a dispute over feeding stray dogs in a residential society escalated into violence. According to the prosecution, after an altercation between residents, outsiders were allegedly called to the spot and members of the complainant's group were assaulted.
The prosecution claimed that the applicant had coordinated the arrival of the alleged assailants and was himself accused of attacking the victims with a wooden stick. The bail application was filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) after the filing of the charge sheet.
Court's Observations
Justice Nikhil S. Kariel noted that the applicant had been in custody since October 5, 2025, and that the investigation had concluded with the filing of the charge sheet.
The Court also considered the applicant's criminal record. Although the prosecution pointed to ten previous cases, the defence produced details showing that the applicant had been acquitted in eight of them, fined in one case under the Gambling Act, and was already on bail in another serious case.
Referring to these circumstances, the bench observed that "appropriate safeguards are required to be imposed" before granting bail, particularly because another serious case involving the applicant had been registered at the same police station. The Court also relied on the Supreme Court's decision in Sanjay Chandra v. Central Bureau of Investigation while exercising its discretion.
Court's Decision
Allowing the application, the High Court directed that the applicant be released on regular bail upon furnishing a bond of ₹1 lakh with one surety of the same amount.
The Court imposed several conditions, including that the applicant must not misuse his liberty, must not leave Gujarat without prior permission of the Sessions Court, must mark his presence before the concerned police station once every month for six months, and must not enter Anand district for six months.
It also clarified that its observations were only for deciding the bail application and should not influence the trial.
Case Details
Case Title: Dhaval @ Bobo Gopalbhai Machi v. State of Gujarat
Case Number: R/Criminal Misc. Application (For Successive Regular Bail – After Chargesheet) No. 13811 of 2026
Judge: Justice Nikhil S. Kariel
Decision Date: June 24, 2026
