B.
A 6th Semester
Law and Police administration
Definition of Bailable Offence
As per law any offence indicated in the First Schedule as bailable, or the one made bailable by
any other law which is in force from time to time, is called a bailable offence.
There are two parts of the First Schedule of CrPC, in which part I concerns itself with offences
given under the Indian Penal Code, whereas part II is related to offences under other laws.
Further, the last item of the First Schedule states that an offence can be called bailable, when it
is punishable with imprisonment for less than 3 years or fine only.
Examples of Bailable Offence
1. Bribery
2. Public Nuisance
3. Death by Rash or Negligent Act
4. Simple Hurt
Right to be released on Bail
When a person is arrested by the police without a warrant, the police must provide
complete detail of the crime to the accused for which he/she has been arrested. Further,
when the offence for which the person is arrested is bailable, the police must inform the
accused that he/she has the right to be released on bail, after providing proper surety.
When a person who is charged with a bailable offence is arrested by the police without a
warrant and is ready to give bail then he/she has to be released on bail. The bail amount is
to be decided either by the Court or by the investigating officer.
Under section 436 of the Criminal Procedure Code, provisions relating to bail in the case of
bailable offence has been discussed. As per this section, when the person is charged with the
commission of an offence that is bailable in nature, bail is the right of the accused because it
casts a binding duty on the police officer in charge of the police station and the court as well to
release the accused, when the offence is bailable.
Definition of Non-Bailable Offence
Non-bailable Offence refers to any offence which is not a bailable offence. As per law, it
includes all such offences that are not included in the First Schedule of CrPC, as a bailable
offence.
Moreover, the end of the second part of the First Schedule defines non-bailable offences like the
ones which are punishable with death, life imprisonment or imprisonment for 7 years or
more.
Examples of Non-Bailable Offence
1. Rape
2. Murder
3. Dowry Death
4. Attempt to murder
5. Kidnapping
Right to be released on Bail
It must be noted that when a person is accused of a commission of the non-bailable
offence, he is not entitled to be released on bail, however, the bail can be granted as per
the court’s discretion, subject to the provision under section 437 are fulfilled.
Further, when a person is arrested by the police in connection to a non-bailable offence,
such a person will not be given bail, if there seem reasonable grounds that the accused is
guilty of the offence, which is punishable with death or life imprisonment.
However, the accused of the non-bailable offence punishable with death or life
imprisonment will be released on bail if the person is minor, i.e. below 16 years, woman,
sick or infirm.
Additionally, if at any point of the investigation, it comes to light to the Court that there
are reasonable grounds to prove that the accused charged with the crime, has not
committed it, then also the person may be released on bail, but only at the discretion of
the Court, by executing the bond.
Key Differences Between Bailable and Non-Bailable Offence
After developing a thorough understanding of these two, let’s move further to discuss the
difference between bailable offence and non-bailable offence:
1. Bailable Offence refers to offences that are less serious in nature. It implies an offence in
which bail is available to the accused on the presentation of the surety. As against, Non-
bailable offence includes those offences which are serious in nature and in which bail is
not available to the accused.
2. When it comes to the quantum of punishment, bailable offences attract punishment of 3
years maximum, whereas non-bailable offences attract punishment of more than 3 years.
However, it is subject to certain exceptions when any contrary law exists in this regard.
For Example: Suppose a person is accused of a bailable offence, and he/she is
arrested or detained without warrant, that person has a right to be released on bail,
but when that person is accused of a non-bailable offence, in such a case, the bail
is upon the discretion of the authorities.
3. In the case of a bailable offence, a grant of bail is a matter of right of the accused,
whereas if we talk about a non-bailable offence grant of bail is the discretion of the court.
4. In case of a bailable offence, the authority of granting bail is in the hands of investigating
officer or officer in charge of the police station. Conversely, in a non-bailable offence, it
is the Judicial Magistrate or Judge, who decides the bail to be granted or not.
5. In a bailable offence, the accused is required to bring proper surety after his/her arrest,
then only the investigating officer is bound to release the accused. In contrast, in a non-
bailable offence, investigating officer is required to present the accused before the
magistrate within 24 hours of his/her arrest. At that time, he/she can make an application
of bail to the magistrate either by himself or through a lawyer.
6. In a bailable offence, the bail bond is required to be executed with or without surety,
whereas in the case of a non-bailable offence, the bail bond is to be executed with
stringent conditions.
