Kuljit Singh v. State Of Punjab

TAPINDER SINGH MANN 2016.04.29 17:19 IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH.

Cr. Misc. M 2883 of 2016 Date of decision: 29.4.2016 Kuljit Singh Petitioner vs.

State of Punjab Respondent

Present:

Ms. Kanwal S. Walia, Advocate.

Ms. HKAthwal, DAG, Punjab M.M.S.BEDI,J.

The petitioner along with Gurmit Singh had been booked in a criminal case alleging that theft of mango and safeda trees was committed from the Panchayat land by the petitioner in connivance with Gurmit Singh. After trial Gurmit Singh has been acquitted vide judgment dated 8.2.2008 (Annexure P-1). The evidence against the petitioner and the co-accused, who has been acquitted, appears to be same and the petitioner having left India was declared a proclaimed offender but on account of his appearance before the trial court, pursuant to the interim order passed by this court, he ceases to be a proclaimed offender.

Taking into consideration the fact that the co-accused of the petitioner having already been acquitted on merits, the petitioner can be granted the concession of pre-arrest bail.

The petition is disposed of with a direction that in case of arrest of the petitioner, he will be released on bail on his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the arresting officer , subject to the condition that he will continue to appear before the trial court and will not absent himself without any sufficient cause. Taking into consideration the fact that co-accused of the petitioner has already been acquitted in the year 2008, a direction is issued that in case the prosecution agency opts to present challan against the petitioner within 10 days, the trial court shall conclude the trial within a period of 2/3 months after the presentation of challan. April 29, 2016 ( M.M.S.BEDI ) TSM JUDGE