Sign in
Code Of Criminal Procedure 1973: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023

State of Karnataka vs Sri Darshan 2025 INSC 979 - CrPC - Written Grounds Of Arrest - Bail

CaseCiter

• 4 min read
Note

Sign in to read our notes on this judgment. Register @ citecase.in to subscribe !

Read Judgment

Constitution of India - Article 22 (1) - Code of Criminal Procedure 1973- Section 50 Cr.P.C ; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 47 - The constitutional and statutory framework thus mandates that the arrested person must be informed of the grounds of arrest – but neither provision prescribes a specific form or insists upon written communication in every case- Written, individualised grounds are not an inflexible requirement in all circumstances- The mere absence of written grounds does not ipso facto render the arrest illegal, unless it results in demonstrable prejudice or denial of a fair opportunity to defend. (Para 20.1)

Bail - Delay in furnishing the grounds of arrest cannot, by itself, constitute a valid ground for grant of bail. (Para 20.1) - Courts are not expected to render findings on the merits of the case at the bail stage. (Para 20.2) - Appreciation of evidence at the bail stage is impermissible (Para 20.3) Mere filing of a charge-sheet does not confer an indefeasible right to bail. Likewise, the mere prospect of a prolonged trial cannot, by itself, outweigh the gravity of the offence, the incriminating material gathered during investigation, or the likelihood of tampering with witnesses (Para 20.4) . Post-bail good conduct of the accused, while relevant to the question of continuation of bail, cannot retrospectively validate an otherwise unsustainable order. (Para 20.5) A celebrity status does not elevate an accused above the law, nor entitle him to preferential treatment in matters like grant of bail Popularity cannot be a shield for impunity.-No individual – however wealthy, influential, or famous – can claim exemption from the rigours of law- Influence, resources and social status cannot form a basis for granting bail where there is a genuine risk of prejudice to the investigation or trial. (Para 23) Cancellation and Annulment - While cancellation of bail is a serious matter involving deprivation of personal liberty, the law does permit annulment of a bail order that is unjustified, legally untenable, or passed without due regard to material considerations. (Para 18.15)

Constitution of India - Article 14 - The Constitution of India enshrines equality before law under Article 14, and mandates that no individual – however wealthy, influential, or famous – can claim exemption from the rigours of law - In a democracy governed by the rule of law, no individual is exempt from legal accountability by virtue of status or social capital. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits arbitrariness. It mandates that all persons – regardless of their popularity, power, or privilege – are equally subject to the law. (Para 23-25)

Case Info


Case Name and Neutral Citation

  • Case Name: State of Karnataka v. Sri Darshan & Others
  • Neutral Citation: 2025 INSC 979

Coram (Judges)

  • Justice J.B. Pardiwala
  • Justice R. Mahadevan

Judgment Date

  • August 14, 2025

Caselaws and Citations Referred


The judgment refers to several Supreme Court decisions. Here are the main ones cited:

  1. Sant Shri Asaram Bapu v. State of Rajasthan(2015) SCC Online SC 1903
  2. Ram Kishor Arora v. Directorate of Enforcement(2024) 7 SCC 599
  3. Prabir Purkayastha v. State (NCT of Delhi)(2024) 8 SCC 254
  4. Ramesh Harijan v. State of U.P.(2012) 5 SCC 777
  5. Mahipal v. Rajesh Kumar(2020) 2 SCC 118
  6. Dolat Ram v. State of Haryana(1995) 1 SCC 349
  7. State (Delhi Administration) v. Sanjay Gandhi(1978) 2 SCC 411
  8. Prahlad Singh Bhati v. NCT of Delhi(2001) 4 SCC 280
  9. Puran v. Rambilas and another(2001) 6 SCC 338
  10. Dr. Narendra K. Amin v. State of Gujarat and another2008 (6) SCALE 415
  11. Prasanta Kumar Sarkar v. Ashis Chatterjee(2010) 14 SCC 496
  12. Prakash Kadam and others v. Ramprasad Viswanath Gupta and another(2011) 6 SCC 189
  13. Neeru Yadav v. State of UP(2014) 16 SCC 508
  14. Anil Kumar Yadav v. State (NCT of Delhi)(2018) 12 SCC 129
  15. State of Kerala v. MaheshAIR 2021 SC 2071
  16. Abdul Basit v. Abdul Kadir Choudhary(2014) 10 SCC 754
  17. Deepak Yadav v. State of U.P. and anotherCriminal Appeal No. 861 of 2022 (@ SLP (Crl.) No. 9655 of 2021) dated 20.05.2022
  18. Pinki v. State of Uttar Pradesh and another2025 INSC 482
  19. Gudikanti Narasimhulu and Others v. Public Prosecutor, High Court of Andhra Pradesh(1978) 1 SCC 240
  20. Ram Govind Upadhyay v. Sudarshan Singh(2002) 3 SCC 598
  21. Kalyan Chandra Sarkar v. Rajesh Ranjan(2004) 7 SCC 528
  22. Bhoopendra Singh v. State of Rajasthan(2021) 17 SCC 220
  23. Brijmani Devi v. Pappu Kumar(2022) 4 SCC 497
  24. Manoj Kumar Khokhar v. State of Rajasthan and Another(2022) 3 SCC 501
  25. State of Orissa v. Mahimananda MishraCriminal Appeal No. 1175 of 2018 dated 18.09.2018
  26. Naresh Kumar Mangla v. Anita AgarwalAIR 2021 SC 277
  27. Ishwarji Nagaji Mali v. State of Gujarat and anotherCriminal Appeal No. 70 of 2022 dated 18.01.2022
  28. Imran v. Mohammed BhavaCriminal Appeal Nos. 658 and 659 of 2022 (@ SLP (Crl) Nos. 27 and 1242 of 2022) dated 22.04.2022
  29. State through CBI v. Amaramani Tripathi2005 (8) SCC 21
  30. Ash Mohammad v. Shiv Raj Singh(2012) 9 SCC 446
  31. Ajwar v. Waseem(2024) 10 SCC 768
  32. Panchanan Mishra v. Digambar Mishra(2005) 3 SCC 143
  33. Jagan Kishore v. State of A.P.2003 Crl. LJ 1919
  34. State of Maharashtra v. Dhanendra Shriram Bhurle(2009) 11 SCC 541
  35. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy v. CBI(2013) 7 SCC 439
  36. Rana Kapoor v. Directorate of Enforcement(2022) 8 SCC 162

Statutes / Laws Referred

  • Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC)
    • Sections: 120B, 364, 384, 355, 302, 201, 143, 147, 148, 149, 34, 362, 204
  • Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (Cr.P.C.)
    • Sections: 439(2), 437(5), 161, 164, 50, 50A
  • Constitution of India
    • Article 14 (Equality before law)
    • Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty)
    • Article 22(1) (Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention)
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (reference to Section 47, as a replacement for Cr.P.C. Section 50)
State of Karnataka vs Sri Darshan 2025 INSC 979 - CrPC - Written Grounds Of Arrest - Bail
State of Karnataka vs Sri Darshan 2025 INSC 979 - CrPC - Written Grounds Of Arrest - Bail.pdf
787 KB
download-circle