Ahmedabad, Nov 25 - A brief but quietly significant hearing unfolded in the Gujarat High Court on Thursday, where a division bench agreed to examine a request seeking changes to bail conditions imposed earlier on Ashumal @ Asharam Thaumal Sindhi. The matter didn’t stretch long, yet the courtroom energy suggested lawyers were preparing for a lengthier debate next month.
Background
Sindhi is currently pursuing an appeal filed in 2023, challenging his earlier conviction. During the appeal, he was granted regular bail, but one or more conditions attached to that relief have now become the subject of dispute. His counsel, senior advocate Ashish Dagli, argued that the specific restriction-details of which were not discussed openly-was “no longer practical for the petitioner” and therefore deserved reconsideration.
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In simple terms, the application isn’t about innocence or guilt but about relaxing a rule attached to his temporary freedom while the appeal is pending. Such requests are fairly common when circumstances change, or compliance becomes difficult.
Court’s Observations
The division bench of Justice Ilesh J. Vora and Justice R.T. Vachhani didn’t express any opinion on the merits. Still, the judges appeared open to hearing both sides fully. At one point, Justice Vora remarked, “Let the State respond. We cannot modify conditions without hearing them,” according to those present.
The State, represented by Public Prosecutor Hardik Dave, immediately waived formal service of notice-a procedural courtesy that speeds things up. Instead of waiting weeks, the prosecution essentially said, “We’re already aware, let’s proceed.”
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Such steps, though mundane, often determine how fast a case moves. Here, it signaled that the State intends to contest or at least scrutinize the request.
Decision
For now, the court has simply issued notice and scheduled the matter for December 1, 2025. No interim relief, no modification, nothing more. The existing bail conditions continue until the next hearing, where both sides are expected to argue in detail.
Case Title: Ashumal @ Asharam Thaumal Sindhi (Harpalani) vs State of Gujarat
Case No.: Criminal Misc. Application (Modification/Deletion of Condition) No. 5 of 2025
Case Type: Application seeking modification of bail conditions
Decision/Order Date: 21 November 2025
