Praveen Mohammad vs State Govt Of NCT Of Delhi

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The petitioner, Praveen Mohammad, filed an anticipatory bail application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. in connection with FIR No. 87/2024 registered at PS C.R. Park under Sections 379/356/34 IPC, arising out of a chain snatching incident. The petitioner's counsel contended that the co-accused Nazakat and Taufiq had already been arrested and the snatched chain recovered, and that the petitioner was being implicated merely because she was the mother of one of the arrested accused.

The State opposed the bail application, submitting that the petitioner was a key member of a gang involved in organised chain snatching across Delhi, responsible for routing stolen gold chains to jewellers, and that CDR records established her connection with other accused persons. The status report indicated the existence of a widespread gang operating at the state level with 10–12 incidents of chain snatching occurring daily.

The Court, relying on the principles laid down in CBI v. Santosh Karanani & Anr. 2023(3) RCR (Criminal) 213, held that anticipatory bail is to be exercised sparingly and that the volume and organised nature of the offences warranted thorough investigation. Finding prima facie material against the petitioner and the need to curb organised crime, the Court dismissed the anticipatory bail application.

Catchwords: anticipatory bail chain snatching organised gang pre-arrest bail Section 482 CrPC Section 379 IPC Section 356 IPC Section 34 IPC judicial discretion investigation Article 21 liberty public order