Gokul Sarkar v. State Of West Bengal

15.09.2021 Item no.17 Aloke Through Video Conference Ct. No.29 C.R.M. 5983 of 2021 In Re: An application for bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure filed on 06.09.2021 in connection with Kaliyaganj P.S. Case No. 203 of 2013 dated 02.08.2013 under Sections 363/366A of the Indian Penal Code and subsequently charge-sheet submitted under Sections 363/366A/376/372/370 Of the Indian Penal Code read with Section 3(a)/4 of the POCSO Act. And In the matter of : Gokul Sarkar ... Petitioner Mr. S. Banerjee, Advocate Mr. Prosenjit Roy, Advocate ... for the Petitioner Ms. Zareen N. Khan, Advocate Ms. Sreeparna Das, Advocate ... for the State Petitioner renews the prayer for bail by this application. This is the third application for grant of bail with the earlier two being rejected on February 19, 2020 and October 6, 2020.

Learned Advocate appearing for the petitioner draws the attention of the Court to the directions contained in the order dated October 6, 2020 for expeditious conclusion of the trial. He submits that the petitioner is in custody for excess of 600 days. Learned Advocate appearing for the State opposes the prayer for grant of bail. He submits that the next date fixed is on September 27, 2021.

Considering the fact that the ongoing pandemic prevented disposal of the trail within the time stipulated by the order dated October 6, 2020, and the involvement of the petitioner we are

unable to grant bail to the petitioner. Since the petitioner seeks expeditious conclusion of the trial, we request the Court in seisin of the proceedings not to adjourn the matter on the prayer of the petitioner under any circumstances.

C.R.M. 5983 of 2021 is disposed of.

(Debangsu Basak, J.) (Ananda Kumar Mukherjee, J.)