Kewal Singh v. State Of Punjab

Crl. Misc. No. M-3889 of 2017

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH.

Sr. No. 211(2) Case No. : Crl. Misc. No. M-3889 of 2017 Date of Decision : February 20, 2017 Kewal Singh ....

Petitioner vs.

State of Punjab ....

Respondent CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK SIBAL.

* * * Present :

Mr. Bikramjit Aroura, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Dhivya Jerath, Advocate for the State of Punjab.

Mr. Nitin Thatai, Advocate for the complainant.

* * * DEEPAK SIBAL , J.

:

Through the present petition filed under Section 439 Cr.P.C., the petitioner seeks grant of regular bail in FIR No.111 dated 08.04.2015, registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC, at Police Station Civil Lines, District Amritsar.

Seeking regular bail for the petitioner, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been in custody for over 17 months; there is no other criminal case is pending against him; since challan has been filed the petitioner is no longer needed for investigation purposes; only two out of 34 prosecution witnesses have been examined and therefore, the trial is likely to take a long time to conclude. Learned State counsel, as also counsel for the complainant oppose the grant of bail on the ground that the alleged fraud is for a huge Monika 2017.02.20 18:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document amount of ` one crore.

Crl. Misc. No. M-3889 of 2017 It is not disputed that the petitioner has been in custody for over 17 months and is no longer needed by the investigating agency. It is further not disputed that no other criminal case is pending against the petitioner and further that only two out of 34 prosecutions witnesses have been examined so far and therefore, it is likely that the trial may take a long time to conclude.

In view of the above, the petition is allowed and the petitioner is directed to be released on regular bail.

Bail to the satisfaction of the trial court.

Nothing observed herein above shall be considered to be an expression of opinion by this court on the merits of the case. If the petitioner is found indulging in any other criminal act or misusing the concession of bail granted by this Court, it would be open to the State to seek cancellation of bail granted through this order by filing an appropriate application before the competent Court/this Court. ( DEEPAK SIBAL ) JUDGE February 20, 2017 monika Whether speaking/reasoned ?

Yes/No.

Whether reportable ?

Yes/No.

Monika 2017.02.20 18:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document