Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 438 — Anticipatory Bail — Absconding accused — General rule is that an absconder is not entitled to anticipatory bail, exception being when court is prima facie satisfied that no case is made out against the accused after perusing FIR, case diary, and other materials — Accused absconded for almost six and a half years, threatened victim, had criminal antecedents, and was not traceable — Acquittal of co-accused does not automatically entitle absconding accused to anticipatory bail, as prosecution is not expected to adduce evidence against absconding accused during trial of co-accused — Granting anticipatory bail to an absconding accused sets a bad precedent
2026 INSC 157 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH BALMUKUND SINGH GAUTAM Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ANOTHER ( Before : J.B. Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi, JJ. ) Criminal…


