NAGPUR: Bail cannot be refused either as pre-trial punishment or to cater to or douse the collective anger and outrage of the society, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court said on Wednesday.
“Despite the existence of a prima facie case, bail can be granted particularly if the offence is not punishable with death or life imprisonment. Unless there is some material in prosecution’s possession to suggest that the petitioner, albeit under suspension, will flee from the course of justice or will subvert the trial or influence witnesses, there is no purpose in continuing incarceration,” justice Rohit Deo said before granting bail to Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Vinod Shivkumar.