In Brief
Asha Ram, a 79-year-old prisoner incarcerated for over three years, sought regular bail under Section 439 CrPC. Initially relying on an RTI communication from the Jail Superintendent detailing his poor health, the petitioner later withdrew this document. The Supreme Court found it fictitious. Rejecting bail, the Court noted the accused had deliberately prolonged the trial (cross-examination lasting 104 occasions), and attacks on prosecution witnesses resulted in two deaths. The Court directed registration of an FIR against the pairokar and petitioner for placing forged documents before it, and imposed exemplary costs of Rs. 1,00,000.
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