'No exceptional case' Delhi HC denies proclaimed offender anticipatory bail

New Delhi, Jun 19 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of a man declared a proclaimed offender in a cheating case, ruling out any exceptional circumstances.
     Justice Ravinder Dudeja was hearing the plea of Jagadish Das, who was booked by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing on charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust by banker, merchant, agent, etc.
     A person is declared a proclaimed offender after failing to appear in court despite a proclamation (a public notice) being issued against them.
     "The status report reveals the consistent disobedience of the petitioner (Das) to comply with the orders of the trial court, as he failed to join the investigation and appear before it even after issuance of non-bailable warrants (NBWs) and process, illustrating his consistent disobedience," the order read.
     Referring to the law and judicial precedents, the court said anticipatory bail could not be granted to a person declared a proclaimed offender unless in exceptional circumstances.
     "The present case does not form an exceptional or extraordinary case where this discretionary power of the court can be used. In the light of cumulative circumstances, the petitioner is not entitled to seek the benefit of pre-arrest or anticipatory bail," the court held.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)