Satikar Singh Alias Satkar Singh Alias Khosa v. State Of Punjab
-1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision:- 05.03.2025
....Petitioner(s)
Versus
...Respondent(s)
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV BERRY Present :
Mr. R.K. Saini, Advocate for the petitioner.
Mr. Ankit Grewal, DAG Punjab.
***** SANJIV BERRY, J. (ORAL) The instant petition has been preferred by the petitioner under Section 439 CrPC for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in the following case :- FIR No.
Dated Sections Police Station 21.10.2023 379-B, 341, 506, 307, 379 and 411 IPC (added later on);
25 and 27 of the Arms Act Smalsar, District Moga no. 2), Mo 2.
It is, inter alia, contended by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He contends that the petitioner is in custody since 25.10.2023 and consequent upon his arrest, recovery of alleged snatched mobile phone has already been
-2effected from him. He submits that after the completion of investigation, challan has been presented in Court and the conclusion of trial will take sufficient long time. Thus, prays for grant of concession of bail to the petitioner.
3.
Per contra, learned State counsel while referring to the short reply filed by the State has assailed these arguments by arguing that the petitioner is a habitual offender and his active involvement in the occurrence is evident from the fact that the snatched mobile phone of the complainant has been recovered from him. Thus, prays for dismissal of the petition. He has, however, not disputed the fact that challan has been presented in Court. 4.
Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. 5.
After considering the rival contentions and perusing the record, it transpires that the present FIR was registered on the statement of the complainant to the effect that on 21.10.2023, when he was going from Village Bhaloor to Mehla Kalan, at about 02:00 PM, a motorcycle waylaid him and the pillion rider pulled out a revolver and pointed it towards the complainant and threatened to kill him. Thereafter, they snatched his mobile phone and his wallet having ₹4200/- along with his Aadhaar Card, PAN card, Debit Card and Driving licence and thereafter fled away from the spot. During investigation, the complainant recorded his supplementary statement naming the petitioner and co-accused Gurdev Singh. Accordingly, the petitioner was arrested on 25.10.2023 and the alleged motorcycle used in the commission of offence along with revolver and mobile phone of the complainant were recovered from him.
-36.
After the completion of investigation, challan has been presented in Court, wherein the prosecution has cited 15 witnesses, however, none has been examined till date. The criminal liability, if any, of the petitioner, could only be determined after the conclusion of trial, which may take sufficient long time. In the circumstances, no purpose would be served by detaining the petitioner any longer.
7.
Consequently, without commenting on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds/surety bonds to the satisfaction of learned Trial Court/Judge on Duty/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case; undertaking to regularly appear on each and every date; not to leave the country without prior permission of the Court; and not to tamper with evidence of prosecution in any manner. 8.
It is further made clear that in case the petitioner is found involved in any similar case, after his release on bail, it will be open for the prosecution to move an application for cancellation of his bail in accordance with law.
9.
Any observation made above shall not be construed as opinion of this Court on the merits of the case.
(SANJIV BERRY) JUDGE 05.03.2025 S.Sharma(syr) i) Whether speaking/reasoned?
Yes/No ii) Whether reportable?
Yes/No