Radhika Mittal
In a noteworthy directive, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on 13th September 2024Friday granted bail to an accused person, Edal Singh, with a unique condition – he must plant ten saplings and monitor their growth for the next three years. The court’s decision came in a case where Singh was jailed under the Arms Act, 1959. The single-judge bench of Justice Anand Pathak also required the accused to submit monthly progress reports on the saplings’ development.
As part of the conditions for bail, the Court ordered Singh to plant either fruit-bearing trees or Neem/Peepal saplings and ensure they are protected by appropriate fencing. He is required to submit photographs of the planted saplings within 30 days of his release, along with monthly updates for the next three years. To ensure compliance, the Court instructed the accused to use the NISARG app, developed by the High Court, for satellite-based monitoring of the saplings via geo-tagging and geo-fencing.
The accused had moved his fourth bail application, arguing that most of the prosecution’s witnesses had already been examined, and only official witnesses remained. He also pointed out that the chargesheet had been filed and sought parity with co-accused individuals who had already been granted bail. Singh assured the court that he had learned his lesson and would not engage in any future criminal activities.
Despite opposition from the State, which cited the accused’s criminal antecedents, the court allowed the bail plea. Singh was required to furnish a personal bond of ₹1,00,000, along with two solvent sureties of the same amount. The court emphasized that the sapling plantation condition was supplemental and not a substitute for the merits of the case.
Case Name: Edal Singh v. State of Madhya Pradesh
Bench: Justice Anand Pathak