1
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. OF 2024 [arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 9775/2024]
SIKANDAR ALI @ SIKANDAR @ REHAN @ SIKKU Appellant
VERSUS
THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL Respondent
O R D E R
1 Leave granted.
2. The High Court by the impugned judgment and order dated 4th October,
2023 has rejected the appellant’s prayer for bail.
3. The appellant is in custody since 19th March, 2022. He figures as an
accused in FIR No. 211/2020 registered on 31st October 2020 at Police Station
Burra Bazar, Kolkata for commission of offences under Sections 395, 397, 307
and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Section 25(1B)(a) of the Arms Act,
1959.
4. We have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the
materials on record.
2
5. The High Court found that the appellant having absconded was brought
before the Court under arrest, which took some time. He also challenged the
order framing charges which delayed commencement of the trial. That apart,
the trial had commenced and 5 (five) witnesses had been examined in behalf of
the prosecution. The reasons recorded by the High Court for refusing the prayer
for bail appear to be reasonable.
6. However, what has intrigued us is the fact that more than 14 months have
passed since the High Cou...