The Gujarat High Court order records that while the prosecution alleged that the accused had sprinkled diesel on the man and set him on fire, the 'wardi' (information) given by the doctor to the police stated that the man had immolated himself.The allegation was chilling: a man was allegedly doused with diesel and burned alive inside his bathroom following a neighbourhood feud. There were three accused named in the case. The fourth person arrested in the case, however, was described in the dying declaration only as “one Marwari man”. Finding no evidence linking that unidentified description to the man arrested as the fourth accused, the Gujarat High Court on Friday granted regular bail to Chimnaram Marvadi in the January murder case in Gandhidham.Justice H D Suthar, while examining the investigation papers, noted contradictions and gaps in the prosecution’s case regarding Marvadi’s alleged role in the murder of Karshan Maheshwari. The court held that investigators had collected no evidence establishing that Marvadi was the unidentified “Marwari man” referred to in the dying declaration.The order records that while the prosecution alleged that the accused had sprinkled diesel on the man and set him on fire, the ‘wardi’ (information) given by the doctor to the police stated that Maheshwari had immolated himself. The court also noted that the dying declaration specifically named three accused in the case– including two women– while the fourth was described only as “one Marwari man”.“No evidence is collected to establish the identity of said Marwari man and no evidence is collected which suggests that the present applicant is the said Marwari man,” the court said.The prosecution relied on the applicant’s alleged confessional statement to contend that he was present at the scene of the crime. The High Court, however, said that even if that assertion was accepted at face value, the investigation papers did not attribute a direct act in the burning to him.The court reasoned, saying, “Even if it is accepted as it is, except intervening, no role qua sprinkling of diesel and setting ablaze the deceased and no overt act is attributed to the present applicant and even otherwise, investigation is over, and charge-sheet is filed.”Marvadi’s lawyers had argued that he was innocent and falsely implicated and that nothing remained to be recovered or discovered from him.Story continues below this adThe HC noted that Marvadi had been in custody since January 25, that the investigation was complete and the chargesheet had been filed and that he had no past criminal antecedents.The bitter dispute between neighboursAccording to the police, Maheshwari, who lived with his elderly mother and was unmarried, was allegedly targeted following a long-running dispute with neighbours in Satrahajjar Jhunpada, Gandhidham over trivial issues.According to the prosecution case, the accused bore a grudge over an earlier incident and, as Maheshwari entered his bathroom, sprinkled diesel and set him ablaze.Referring to Supreme Court rulings on bail jurisprudence, Justice Suthar said that continued incarceration pending a trial that could take time would have serious implications for personal liberty. Invoking the principle that “bail is a rule and jail is an exception” and the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty under Article 21, the court consequently held that the case was fit for the exercise of discretion in favour of regular bail.Story continues below this adMarvadi was ordered to be released on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the same amount. He has been barred from leaving Gujarat without the trial court’s permission and must mark his presence at the police station concerned once every month for six months, among other conditions.Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read More Tags:Gujarat High CourtVadodara