In Brief
The Supreme Court quashed and set aside the High Court's order granting anticipatory bail to an accused who had absconded and been declared a proclaimed offender under section 82 Cr.P.C. The accused was charged with cheating, criminal breach of trust and related offences stemming from a business dispute involving Rs. 36 lakhs. The Court held that a person declared as an absconder or proclaimed offender is statutorily ineligible for anticipatory bail. The High Court's error lay in characterizing the case as merely a business transaction and ignoring the formal proclamation proceedings and grave charges. The accused was given two weeks to surrender and was entitled to apply for regular bail thereafter.
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