The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday granted regular bail to a man accused in a case involving alleged irregularities related to citizenship documents and passport details. The court noted that the investigation was complete, the charge sheet had already been filed, and continued detention would serve no useful purpose.
The order was passed by Justice Nikhil S. Kariel while hearing a bail plea filed after the completion of investigation.
Background of the Case
The applicant, Biplob Haldar, was arrested in connection with an FIR registered at the Airport Police Station, Ahmedabad. The case relates to alleged offences under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 12(2) of the Passport Act, 1967.
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According to the prosecution, the main allegation against the accused was that he was not an Indian citizen. Investigators claimed that although he possessed an Indian passport, his parents were allegedly Bangladeshi nationals, and a birth certificate showing his birth in India had been obtained despite this background.
The accused had been in judicial custody since May 27, 2025.
Submissions Before the Court
Counsel appearing for the applicant argued that the accusations were largely documentary in nature and that the applicant already held an Indian passport issued by a competent authority. It was further pointed out that the passport had been seized by the police, reducing any risk of misuse.
The defence stressed that the investigation was complete and that keeping the accused behind bars for an indefinite period would be unjustified. The applicant also expressed willingness to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.
Opposing the plea, the State argued that the nature of the allegations was serious and that the role attributed to the accused did not merit discretionary relief at this stage.
Court’s Observations
After hearing both sides, the court examined the FIR, charge sheet papers, and records placed before it. The bench also relied on settled principles governing bail, particularly the balance between personal liberty and the interests of investigation.
“The allegation against the applicant predominantly is that he is not an Indian citizen,” the court noted, while also recording that the passport held by the accused was not alleged to be forged.
Justice Kariel observed that there were documents on record which, at least at a prima facie level, supported the applicant’s claim of Indian citizenship. The court also took into account the fact that the passport had already been seized by the authorities.
Considering that the applicant had spent over seven months in custody and that the investigation had concluded, the bench remarked that there was no further need to keep him incarcerated at this stage.
Decision
Allowing the application, the Gujarat High Court granted regular bail to the accused.
The court ordered his release on execution of a personal bond of ₹10,000 with one surety of the same amount. The bail was made subject to strict conditions, including surrender of passport, restriction on foreign travel without court permission, monthly appearance at the concerned police station for six months, and cooperation with the investigation.
The court also clarified that any breach of these conditions would entitle the trial court to take appropriate action. Importantly, it directed that the trial court should not be influenced by the observations made in the bail order, as they were only for deciding the bail plea.
With these directions, the bail application was allowed.
Case Title:- Biplob v/s State of Gujarat
Case Number: Criminal Misc. Application (For Regular Bail After Chargesheet) No. 27169 of 2025
Date of Order: 24 December 2025
