High Court of Punjab and HaryanaCRM-M/23480/2021allowed

Iqbal Singh @Khandi v. State Of Punjab

2021-06-30Ms. Justice Jaishree Thakur2 pages

CRM-M No.23480 of 2021 (O&M) -1IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M No.23480 of 2021 (O&M) Date of Decision:30.06.2021 (Heard through VC) Iqbal Singh @ Khandi

...Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab

...Respondent

CORAM:- HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JAISHREE THAKUR Present:- Mr. N.S. Dandiwal, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Rashmi Attri, AAG, Punjab.

**** JAISHREE THAKUR, J.

(ORAL) This is a petition that has been filed for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in FIR No.43 dated 19.03.2021 registered under Sections 354, 354-A, 354-B, 451, 452 IPC and Section 8 of POCSO Act at Police Station Dharamkot, District Moga.

Learned counsel for the petitioner herein would contend that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the said matter as would be evident from the fact that the FIR came to be registered after a period of 20 days of the alleged incident. It is argued that the matter has been investigated and the challan stands presented and therefore, custody of the petitioner would no longer be required.

Learned counsel for the respondent-State opposes grant of bail to the petitioner by contending that that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are serious in nature.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties. Keeping in view PANKAJ KUMAR 2021.07.01 16:06 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M No.23480 of 2021 (O&M) -2the fact that the investigation has been completed and the challan stands presented and the trial is likely to take some time to conclude owing to present COVID-19 pandemic situation, no useful purpose would be served in keeping the petitioner behind bars. The instant petition is allowed and the petitioner is directed to be released on regular bail on execution of adequate personal/surety bond to the satisfaction of concerned trial Court/Duty Magistrate. However, any observation made herein shall not be construed to be an expression on merits of the case. (JAISHREE THAKUR) June 30, 2021 JUDGE Pankaj* Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No PANKAJ KUMAR 2021.07.01 16:06 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document