INTRODUCTION
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was enacted in December 2023 to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973. While the BNSS has mostly retained the features of the CRPC, it has also tried to introduce reforms relating to simplifying the criminal procedure, implementing timeframe for the completion of investigation, enhancing investigatory powers of the police, reducing duration of the trials etc. The BNSS has also tried to bring in some changes relating to procedure for the grant of bail.
DEFINITION OF BAIL
The definition of the bail is given under Section 2(1)(b) of the BNSS. It is defined as the release of any person accused of or suspected of commission of an offence from the custody of law upon certain conditions imposed by an officer or court on the execution by such person of bond or a bail bond. The term “bail bond” has also been defined under Section 2(1)(d). It means an undertaking for release with surety. It is important to note that the terms “bail” and ”bail bond” were not defined under the Criminal Procedure Code 1973. The incorporation of the definitions provide clarity as to the meaning of the two terms and it can result in less ambiguity in relation to the interpretation of the two terms by the courts.
ANTICIPATORY BAIL UNDER THE BNSS
The provision for anticipatory bail is given under Section 482 of the BNSS 2023. It is very similar to the anticipatory bail provision under Section 438 of the CRPC. It states that when a person has a reason to believe that they would be apprehended in a non bailable offence, then they may approach the High Court or the Sessions Court to seek anticipatory bail. Earlier, the CRPC prohibited the granting of anticipatory bail to any person who was accused of committing gang rape under sixteen years of age or under twelve years of age. Under the BNSS, this provision has been expanded to prohibit the granting of anticipatory bail to a person accused of committing gang rape on a woman below eighteen years of age (Sec 70(2) of BNS).
In the case of Parisha Trivedi v. State of Chhattisgarh (2024), the Chhattisgarh High Court held that the discretionary powers of the courts are greater under Section 482 of the BNSS as compared to Section 438 of the CRPC. Under Section 438 of the CRPC, there were several guiding factors which had to be considered while granting bail such as criminal antecedents, nature and gravity of accusation, possibility of the accused fleeing justice etc. However, Section 482 of the BNSS did not require the courts to take such factors into consideration before granting anticipatory bail.
REGULAR BAIL
Section 478 of the BNSS 2023 states that when a person accused of an offense other than a non bailable offense is detained or arrested without a warrant by an officer in charge of a police station or is brought before the court and is prepared at any time while in the custody of the police officer or before the court to give bail, then such a person shall be released on bail. The proviso to this section states that if the accused person is unable to furnish surety, then the court or the officer may execute a bond for his appearance rather than taking a bail bond from the accused.
UNDERTRIAL PRISONERS
Section 479 of the BNSS has made significant changes as how bail should be given to undertrial prisoners. The law allows for the early release of a first offender on bond if he/she has undergone detention for a period of upto one third of maximum period of imprisonment specified for that particular offense. The accused person shall not be released on bail if an investigation, inquiry or trial is pending in multiple offenses against the accused. Under the CRPC, there was no provisions relating to the grant of bail to persons against whom proceedings were pending in multiple offenses. The Superintendent of jail is responsible for making an application to the court when the accused person has served one-third of the maximum period of imprisonment for the particular offense. Under the CRPC, bail could be granted to undertrial prisoners if they have undergone detention for a period upto one half of the maximum period of imprisonment for that particular offense. With the BNSS, this period has been reduced to one third but the accused must be a first-time offender for the proviso to be applicable.
POLICE CUSTODY
The Proviso to Section 480 of the BNSS states that the accused person can get bail from court even if he is required to be identified by the witnesses during investigation or after the first fifteen days of police custody. This proviso is similar to the proviso to Section 437 of the CRPC, wherein the accused could be granted bail by the courts even if they are yet to be identified by the witnesses. However, the law has been slightly tweaked with the addition of grant of bail to the accused after the first fifteen days of police custody.
SPECIAL POWERS OF THE HIGH COURTS/SESSIONS COURTS
Section 483 of the BNSS 2023 gives special powers to the High Courts and the Sessions Courts with regard to the granting of bail. For instance, when a person has been released on bail and he has been accused of any offense with imprisonment of upto seven years or offenses related to the human body (Chapter 6 of the BNS) or offences relating to the State (Chapter 7 of the BNS) or offenses by or related to public servants (Chapter 12 of the BNS), then the High Court or the Sessions Courts have the power to impose any condition as it may deem fit. Furthermore, the High Courts and the Sessions Courts also have the power to set aside or modify the conditions imposed by the Magistrate while releasing any person on bail. The provision relating to the special powers of the High Courts and the Sessions Courts was also provided in the CRPC under Section 439. Section 483 of the BNSS is identical to Section 439 of the CRPC and no changes have been introduced with regard to this provision in the BNSS 2023.
CONCLUSION
The BNSS 2023 has introduced some important changes with regard to the provisions relating to the grant of bail while retaining major portions of the CRPC 1973. The grant of bail to an undertrial prison if he has completed one third of the maximum period of imprisonment would bring much needed relief to the accused and could also reduce the overcrowding in the prisons. Overall, the BNSS envisages a speedy and efficient trial with the objective of providing timely justice to all the persons.
Contributed By : Kritavirya Choudhary (Intern)