Ravinder Singh @Babbi v. State Of Haryana

In the High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana At Chandigarh Date of Decision:-16.11.2021 Ravinder Singh @ Babbi ... Petitioner

Versus

State of Haryana ... Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GURVINDER SINGH GILL Present:- Mr. B.S. Sidhu, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Rajiv Sidhu, DAG, Haryana, assisted by ASI Sumit Kumar.

(proceedings conducted through video conferencing) ***** GURVINDER SINGH GILL, J.(Oral) 1.

The petitioner has approached this Court seeking grant of regular bail in respect of a case registered vide FIR No.262 dated 24.7.2020 at Police Station City Dabwali under Sections 489-A, 489-B, 489-C and 489-D of Indian Penal Code.

2.

The FIR was got registered on the basis of information received by ASI Kamal Singh from special informer to the effect that Rekha Rani along with Ravinder Singh alias Babbi and Gagandeep (petitioner) are involved in preparing the fake currency notes with printer, scanner and with photostat machine, which were kept in the house of Rekha Rani. A raid was conducted at the house of Rekha Rani. On reaching there, a young person was seen,

( 2 ) who was apprehended and who disclosed his identity as Gagandeep. From him, two notes of denomination of `500/- each were recovered. On inquiry, he disclosed that his accomplice Ravinder Singh @ Babbi (petitioner) and Rekha Rani are preparing fake currency notes. When the police party entered the house, they found one colour printer scanner installed in a room, on which a young boy and a lady were carrying on printing. On inquiry, they disclosed their names as Ravinder Singh @ Babbi and Rekha Rani and 25 currency notes of `2,000/- each were recovered. 3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that even if the allegations levelled in FIR are taken to be correct, it is the co-accused Rekha Rani, who is the main accused, who was indulging in printing of fake currency notes and it was from her residence that the printer, scanner and paper cutter were recovered. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner, in any case, deserves the concession of bail on grounds of parity since co-accused Rekha Rani as well as Gagandeep have already been granted bail by this Court.

4.

Opposing the petition, learned State counsel has submitted that since it is the petitioner from whom a large number of fake currency notes i.e. 25 notes of the denomination of `2,000/- each were recovered, his complicity is clearly evident. It has further been submitted that the petitioner had earlier remained involved in 2 other cases and that while he stands acquitted in 1 of those cases, the other is still pending. Learned State counsel has, however, informed that the petitioner as on date has been behind bars since the last more than 1 year and 3 months. Learned State counsel has informed that as many as 11 PWs have been cited and that charges are yet to be framed.

( 3 ) 5.

I have considered rival submissions addressed before this Court. 6.

Without commenting anything as regards the merits of the case but while noticing that the petitioner has been behind bars for a substantial period of more than 1 year and 3 months and conclusion of trial is likely to consume time as the trial is yet to commence inasmuch even the charges have not been framed so far, further detention of the petitioner will not serve any useful purpose. The petition, as such, is accepted and the petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing bail bonds/surety bonds to the satisfaction of learned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/Duty Magistrate concerned.

16.11.2021 ( Gurvinder Singh Gill ) pankaj Judge Whether speaking /reasoned Yes / No Whether Reportable Yes / No