IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA CRIMINAL APPLICATION ( BAIL ) NO. 262 OF 2009 MRS. BERTHA ALIAS BRENDA DIAS PRESENTLY IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY THROUGH NEXT FRIEND LUCY NUNES ... Applicant Versus STATE REPRESENTED BY OFFICER-IN-CHARGE AND ANR., ... Respondents Shri Galileo Teles, Advocate for the Applicant. Ms. Winnie Coutinho, Public Prosecutor for the Respondents. Coram:- N. A. BRITTO, J. Date:- 2nd September, 2009 P.C.:- Heard. The Applicant herein is involved in Crime No.3 of 2006 under Sections 342, 366-A, I.P.C. and Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Immoral Traffic(Prevention) Act, 1956 and Sections 8 and 9 of the Goa Children's Act, 2003. The Respondents have filed their reply opposing the said application. The learned Counsel on behalf of the Applicant submits that one of the accused involved in the same crime by name Mr. Shawn alias Shane Lobo was ordered to be released on bail by this Court by Order dated 27-7-2009 in Criminal Miscellaneous Application(Bail) No.220 of 2009. Learned Public Prosecutor Ms. Winnie Coutinho has left the matter of grant of bail to the Court's discretion. Considering the reply filed and the Order of this Court dated 27-7-2009, the application for bail filed by the Applicant is hereby granted and the Applicant shall be released on bail upon execution of a bond of Rs.10,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Children's Court, Panaji, and subject to the conditions herein imposed in the Order granting bail dated 27-7-2009 it was observed as follows:- "Bail and not jail is the rule. Allegations against the applicant are serious, but not so serious as to deny bail to him, considering that by now the investigations might have been completed. Ld. Public Prosecutor has pointed out to no principle on the basis of which bail could be denied to the applicant considering the facts and circumstances of the case". In the light of the above, the application is granted. The Applicant is hereby ordered to be released on bail upon execution of a bond of Rs.10,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Children's Court, Panaji, and with a further condition that while on bail the Applicant (i) shall not commit offences similar to those of which the Applicant is accused of, and (ii) the Applicant will not directly or indirectly interfere with the investigation of the case. Application disposed of on the above terms. N. A. BRITTO, J. RD.