What is bail?

In general words, in a criminal case Bail means the temporary release of the accused who is awaiting court trial after paying the bail bond. It becomes applicable after arrest and becomes effective from the moment of the arrest. This article will help you to understand Bailable and Non-Bailable offense.

What is Offence?

Offence can be described as any act or omission which is punishable under any law

Examples of Bailable Offence

1. Bribery
2. Public Nuisance
3. Death by Rash or Negligent Act
4. Simple Hurt

Key Elements:

1. less serious in nature
2. The quantum of punishment maximum 3 years
3. Matter of right
4. Investing Officer of Police Station can grant Bail.
5. bail bond is required to be executed with or without surety

Examples of Non-Bailable Offence

1. Rape
2. Murder
3. Dowry Death
4. Attempt to murder
5. Kidnapping

Key Elements:

1. serious in nature
2. It attracts punishment of more than 3 years
3. Discreationary power of Court.
4. Only Judicial Magistrate can grant Bail.
5. bail bond is to be executed with stringent conditions.

Application for Bail

For non-bailable offence one has to move an application setting out the grounds for the grant of bail. In case the court is convinced that bail should be granted it passes the order after hearing the arguments. At that stage one has to fill in the bail bond duly signed by the surety and to be filled through his advocate. In case the accused is before the court, he is set at liberty in the court itself and in case the accused is under detention in the jail, orders of grant of bail are sent to the concerned jail.

Difference between Bailable and Non- Bailable Offence

Basis of Difference	Bailable Offence	Non – Bailable Offence
Provision under CrPC	It is defined u/s 2(a) of CrPC, as an offence which is shown as bailable in the 1st schedule, or which is made bailable by any other law for the time being in force.	It is also defined u/s 2(a) pf CrPC, as an any other offence other than bailable.
Intensity of Crime	Bailable offences are considered less serious in nature.	Whereas, Non- Bailable offences are considered more serious / heinous in nature
Quantum of Punishment	Punishment is for less than 3 years. .	Punishment is for more than 3 years.
Power to Grand Bail	Bail can be claimed as of right and is granted as a matter of course by the police officer or by court. Its provision can be traced u/s 436 of CrPC	Bail cannot be claimed as a right. Only Judicial Magistrate has discretionary power to grant bail after considering the facts and circumstances of the case. Provision for Non- Bailable offence is given u/s 437 of CrPC.
Examples	Cheating (Sec. 407 IPC), Affray (Sec.160,IPC), Bribery for elections (Sec 171E IPC)	Dowry Death (Sec. 304B, IPC), Murder (Sec. 302, IPC), Rape (Sec.376, IPC), Voluntarily causing Grieve Hurt (Sec. 326, IPC)
Bail Procedure	When the accused brings proper surety after his/her arrest, the investigating officer of the concerned Police Station is bound to release the accused on Bail.	Accused need to be present before the Judicial Magistrate within 24 hours from the time of arrest by the Investigating Officer of the Police Station. At that time, he/she can make an application of bail to the magistrate either by himself or through a Advocate.

Procedure for Bail

Bailable Offence	The accused needs to fill a form, specified in the first schedule of CrPC, and submit the same with the stipulated authority, then the Court will have to grant bail.
Non-Bailable Offence	The accused is required to fill the certain form, specified in the First Schedule of CrPC and submit the same, to apply for bail. Thereafter, it is the Court that decides to grant bail to the accused or reject the application.

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