criminalEnglish origin

Anticipatory Bail

Bail granted in anticipation of arrest � a pre-arrest order directing that the applicant be released if arrested.

Full Definition

Anticipatory bail is a pre-arrest direction by the Sessions Court or High Court. If arrested in a non-bailable case, the applicant is released on bail. The court considers: nature of accusation, antecedents, flight risk.

In Indian Law

Section 438 CrPC (Section 482 BNSS). In Sushila Aggarwal v. State of NCT of Delhi (2020), a 9-judge bench held anticipatory bail need not be time-limited.

Landmark Cases

Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia v. State of Punjab (1980) � Liberal approach to anticipatory bail

Sushila Aggarwal v. State of NCT of Delhi (2020) � Anticipatory bail not time-limited

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