Karthikeyan v. State Rep.By Its

T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 19.09.2022 for the alleged offence under Sections 294(b), 307, 302 I.P.C. In S.C.No.11 of 2020 in connection with Crime No.132 of 2019 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. It is a case of jumped bail. The petitioner was arrested on 19.09.2022 pursuant to the non-bailable warrant issued against him.

3. The learned counsel appearing for petitioner would submit that this is the second application for bail and the earlier application was dismissed by this Court on the ground that the case is at the stage of examining investigation officer. He would further submit that there is no progress in trial and the petitioner is in judicial custody from 19.09.2022. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for respondent would submit that the petitioner is absconding for more than five months and thereafter, he was arrested on 19.09.2022. He is not having standard address and there are nine previous cases pending against him and

another murder case was also registered against him. He would further submit that now the case is at the stage of examination of investigation officer on 25.01.2023. Hence, if he is released on bail, there is possibility of hampering the investigation. Therefore, he vehemently opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the fact that now the case is at the stage of examining investigation officer on 25.01.2023 and there is no change in circumstances of the case, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. However, the trial court is directed to expedite the trial and dispose the matter within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed.

20.01.2023 vkr T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

vkr 20.01.2023