In a detailed order passed on 13 March 2026, the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad has granted bail to Syed Rashid Hashmi in Case Crime No. 162 of 2020, registered at Police Station Sigra, District Varanasi, under Sections 406, 417, 419, 420, 467, 468 & 471 IPC.
The applicant, who was employed as administrative officer/general manager with K.J.M. Land Developers India Ltd., had been in custody since 7 November 2019.
Advocates in the matter
- For the Applicant: Sri Preetam Singh and Sri Vishesh Rajvanshi
- For the State: Sri Rakesh Kumar Mishra, learned A.G.A.
Appearing for the applicant, Sri Vishesh Rajvanshi argued that the first informant was an agent of the company who had persuaded investors to invest money. He submitted that Syed Rashid Hashmi was merely an employee who had deposited the investors’ money into the company’s account on their behalf. Any alleged fraud, if committed, was the responsibility of the directors who closed the office and fled. He further pointed out that an identically placed co-accused, Dilip Kumar Jain, had already been granted bail by a coordinate Bench in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 34288 of 2025 vide order dated 28.11.2025. Since the charge sheet had already been filed, no custodial interrogation was required.
The State opposed the bail application but could not dispute the parity with the co-accused or the fact that the charge sheet was on record.
After considering the nature of the offence, evidence, role of the applicant, prolonged incarceration of over six years, overcrowding of jails, and the Supreme Court’s guidelines in Kapil Wadhawan vs Central Bureau of Investigation (2025 SCC Online SC 3038), the Court held that the applicant is entitled to bail.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal directed the release of Syed Rashid Hashmi on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties of like amount, subject to the following conditions:
• No tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses
• Full cooperation in the trial without seeking unnecessary adjournments
• No fresh criminal activity
• Regular appearance before the trial court as per bond conditions
The Court further clarified that the applicant may be released on the basis of a downloaded copy of the order from the official Allahabad High Court website, with an undertaking to file the certified copy within 15 days. The trial court has been directed to transmit the release order through the Bail Order Management System (BOMS) for early compliance.
This order reaffirms the principle that bail is the rule and jail is the exception, especially when parity and long incarceration are established.
Syed Rashid Hashmi vs State of U.P.| Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 8541 of 2026
Click HERE for full ORDER.
Lawcutor 