The applicants, Hitesh Jasvantbhai Patel and others, sought regular bail before the Gujarat High Court in connection with an FIR registered at Damavav Police Station, Panchmahal, for offences relating to transportation of livestock without adequate food and water, violations of animal preservation laws, and motor vehicle offences. The applicants denied the allegations and contended that the substantial part of the investigation was complete. The Court, relying on Supreme Court precedents affirming that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception' and the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty under Article 21, noted that there was no allegation of slaughter, the applicants had no prior antecedents, and prolonged detention would amount to pre-trial conviction. The Gujarat High Court allowed the bail application and ordered the applicants to be released on a personal bond of Rs. 25,000 each with one surety, subject to several conditions including weekly/monthly reporting to the police station, surrender of passport, and restrictions on leaving Gujarat.