High Court of Punjab and HaryanaCRM-M/12619/2020allowed

Paramjit Singh v. State Of Union Territory, Chandigarh

2020-06-26Mrs. Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul2 pages

CRM-M-12619-2020 -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-12619-2020 Date of decision: 26.06.2020 Paramjit Singh .... Petitioner versus State of UT, Chandigarh .... Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL

Present:

Mr. B.S.Sewak, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. J.S.Toor, Advocate for UT, Chandigarh.

***** Manjari Nehru Kaul, J.

Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the case is taken up for hearing through video conferencing.

Instant petition has been filed under Section 439 Cr.PC for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.705 dated 03.12.2013 registered under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC at Police Station Sector 34, Chandigarh.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that it is a case of false implication. He further submits that the petitioner is in judicial custody since 19.11.2019 and charges are yet to be framed in the instant case. There is nothing to be recovered from the petitioner and hence, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody. He also contends that the trial is proceeding at a very slow pace and there is no SONIA BURA 2020.06.26 15:36 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document chandigarh

CRM-M-12619-2020 -2likelihood of the trial concluding in the near future. Learned counsel for the State, on the other hand, while opposing the prayer and submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioner has not been able to controvert the fact that due to outbreak of pandemic further proceedings before the trial court have been delayed. Heard.

Having considered the submissions made by either side and the fact that the petitioner has been behind bars since 19.11.2019, this Court does not find any reason to decline the prayer of the petitioner for grant of regular bail. It is unlikely that the trial would conclude in the near future more so in the wake of outbreak of pandemic Covid-19. Hence, the present petition is allowed and the petitioner is admitted to bail to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate. However, it is made clear that anything observed hereinabove shall not be construed to be an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.

26.06.2020 (MANJARI NEHRU KAUL) sonia JUDGE Whether speaking/non-speaking?

Yes Whether reportable?

No SONIA BURA 2020.06.26 15:36 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document chandigarh