Joginder Singh v. State Of Punjab

Prayer in the present petition n filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 3, is for grant of regular bail to o the petitioner in case FIR No.

94 dated 17 7.06.2025 under Sections 318(4), , 179, 180, 308(2), 61(2) of the BNS, corre esponding to Sections 420, 237, , 240, 384, 120-B of the IPC, registered a at Police Station Sadar Nabha, Di istrict Patiala.

2.

Learned counsel contends th at the petitioner has been in custody for the last more than 91⁄2 months.

He alleges false implication. 5 co-accused similarly circumstanced have s since been granted bail by this Court, vide e order Annexure P-3, after b being in custody for about 7 months. Th here is no complainant and victim m in the present case, who can be stated to o have been duped, as also there e is no evidence with regard to

exchange of the alleged counterfeit currency, but for being in possession. Challan has been presented on 14.08.2025, however, charges are yet to be framed and there are, in all, 12 PWs. He is not involved in 1 more case. Reliance is placed on the judgment passed by Hon'ble the Supreme Court titled as Maulana Mohd. Amir Rashadi vs. State of U.P. and others, 2012(2) SCC 382.

3.

The custody certificate dated 04.04.2026, filed by the learned State counsel is taken on record. As per the same, the petitioner is behind bars for 9 months and 16 days.

4.

Learned State counsel opposes the bail on the ground that there are specific allegations against the petitioner of exchange of counterfeit currency for genuine, however, is unable to controvert the submissions with regard to stage of the case; the petitioner being involved in 1 more case and 5 co-accused having been enlarged on bail. 5.

Heard.

6.

Hon'ble The Supreme Court in the case of Maulana Mohd. Amir Rashadi (Supra)had held that, "As observed by the High Court, merely on the basis of criminal antecedents, the claim of the second respondent cannot be rejected. In other words, it is the duty of the Court to find out the role of the accused in the case in which he has been charged and other circumstances such as possibility of fleeing away from the jurisdiction of the Court, etc."

7.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, in particular that the petitioner is in custody for the last 9 months and 16

days; co-accused are on bail; challan stands presented on 14.08.2025, but charges have not been framed and there are total 12 PWs; the trial is likely to take a considerable time, further incarceration of the petitioner would be violative of his right enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the present petition is allowed.

8.

The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case and shall abide by the following conditions:- (i) The petitioner will not tamper with the evidence during the trial.

(ii) The petitioner will not pressurize/ intimidate the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The petitioner will appear before the trial Court on each and every date fixed, unless is exempted by a specific order of Court.

(iv) The petitioner shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which, he is an accused, or for commission of which he is suspected of. (v) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly coerce, induce, threaten or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/ her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence in any manner.

(vi) The petitioner shall not in any manner misuse his liberty.

(vii) The petitioner shall furnish his address and mobile number by way of an affidavit to the trial Court and not change the same till conclusion of trial and if for any reasons, he seeks to change either of the aforesaid, it shall be done only with prior information to the learned trial Court. (viii) The petitioner shall not leave the country without prior permission of the trial Court.

(ix) The trial Court/Duty Magistrate may impose any other condition, as deemed appropriate while releasing the petitioner.

9.

It is made abundantly clear that in case there is any breach of the aforesaid conditions, the State shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail as granted to the petitioner by this order. 10.

In view of the above, it is clarified that the observations made herein above are limited for the purpose of present proceedings and would not be construed as any opinion on the merits of the case and the trial would proceed independently of the aforesaid observations.