State of Jharkhand vs Sandeep Kumar 2024 INSC 179 – Bail – Police Officer As Accused

Bail – The considerations that would normally weigh with the Court while dealing with a bail petition are the nature and seriousness of the offence; the character of the evidence; circumstances which are peculiar to the accused; a reasonable possibility of the presence of the accused not being secured at the trial; reasonable apprehension of witnesses being tampered with; the larger interest of the public or the State and other similar factors relevant in the facts and circumstances of the case- Similar considerations would apply even for grant of anticipatory bail. Therefore, circumstances peculiar to the accused and the larger interest of the public or the State also have to be considered – Presumptions and other considerations applicable to a layperson facing criminal charges may not carry the same weight while dealing with a police officer who is alleged to have abused his office.