1 SNS IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MUMBAI APPELLATE CRIMINAL JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO.214 OF 2011 Yusuf Mumtaz Shaikh ...Applicant. v. The State ...Respondents. Smt. A.T. Javeri, APP For the Respondent/State. CORAM : J.H. BHATIA, J. DATED : FEBRUARY 18, 2011. P.C. 1 Applicant is in custody for the last about three years at Yervada Central Jail. He has sent this application through the Superintendent of Central Jail, Yervada. He has made this application with two fold prayers, he wants that either he maybe released on personal bond or trial in the cases against him be expedited and disposed off at the earliest. 2 According to the applicant he was arrested on 11.3.2008 by Deccan Police Station, Pune in a theft case. Thereafter Deccan, Kothrud, Vishramnagar, Yervada, Chaturshrungi, Nigadi, Pimpri, Swargate, Shivaji Nagar and Vanvadi police stations have secured custody of the present applicant in as many as 115 cases registered during the year 2007-2008. According to the applicant, in number of cases after the 2 custody of a year or more, police filed reports under Section 169 of Cr. P.C. as there was no material against him. However, police have succeeded in keeping him behind the bars since March, 2008 and taking into consideration the large number of cases, there appears no end of his custody in the short future. According to him, he had previously addressed the letter to the High Court for grant of bail and High Court had directed him to be released on bail on executing personal bond with solvent surety in the sum of Rs.25,000/- in each case. Taking into consideration large number of cases against him and he being a poor person, confined in jail for such a long period, it is impossible for him to furnish surety and get the benefit of bail order. 3 It is difficult to comment about the involvement of the present applicant in so many cases but it appears that some of the police stations particularly Deccan and Kothrud have made him accused in large number of cases. Taking into consideration the large number of cases of theft and house breaking registered against him, I find it difficult to direct his release on executing personal bond but if in such cases he is required to remain in jail for an indefinite period and if finally he is acquitted, it may amount to great injustice and deprivation of personal liberty and life. Years of his life lost in jail can not be compensated. 3 Therefore, in my opinion, following order will meet the ends of justice: Copy of the application received from the accused alongwith the list of the cases be sent to the Sessions Judge, Pune and he shall give appropriate directions to the concerned Magistrates to take up the trial of these cases on priority and dispose off these cases without fail within one year from this date. If cases are not disposed off, he shall obtain explanation from the concerned Magistrates and submit the same to the High Court. The learned Sessions Judge shall also communicate this order to the Commissioner of Police, Pune, who shall in turn give directions to all the concerned police stations to promptly lead the evidence without seeking adjournments in the same. 4 Application stands disposed off accordingly. Applicant be informed through the Superintendent Yerwada Central Jail, (J.H. BHATIA,J.)