Harpreet Singh @ Ajay v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-25360-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 06.05.2026 Harpreet Singh @ Ajay ... Petitioner Vs.

State of Punjab ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY ***** Present :

Mr. Sandeep Wadhawan, Advocate for the petitioner. ***** AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (ORAL) 1.

Prayer made in the present petition for quashing the impugned orders dated 26.03.2025 and 26.05.2025, Annexures P5 and P6, passed by learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Amritsar, in FIR No.45 dated 01.02.2022, registered at Police Station Maqboolpura, District Police Commissionerate Amritsar, vide which the petitioner was declared as proclaimed offender. 2.

Learned counsel submits that the petitioner was granted regular bail vide order dated 28.03.2022, Annexure P2, whereafter he continued to appear regularly but for 27.11.2024, having been noted down the wrong date, leading to cancellation of his bail; forfeiture of bonds and was declared proclaimed offender vide order dated 26.05.2025, Annexure P6. There is no mention of Section 82(1)(a) Cr.P.C. having been complied with. He is ready and willing to join the proceedings and prays that one last opportunity may be granted to him to surrender before the trial Court. 3.

Notice of motion.

4.

At the asking of the Court, Mr. Manipal Singh Atwal, DAG,

Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State and submits that the impugned order is legal and valid on account of the fact that he had absented from the proceedings before the trial Court without any just cause 5.

Heard.

6.

In Gurbir Singh Mundi vs. State of Punjab and another, CRMM-49283-2021, decided on 16.12.2021, it was held that provisions of Section 82(2) Cr.PC. are to be mandatorily complied with cumulatively and not alternatively. The Court had quashed the order declaring the petitioner therein as proclaimed person on the ground that declaration was not read publicly in some conspicuous place of town or village, in which the accused ordinarily resides.

7.

In Sonu Vs. State of Haryana 2021 (1) RCR (Crl.) 319, it was held that any non-compliance in the procedure prescribed in declaring a proclaimed person, cannot be treated as an irregularity but the same renders such proceedings a nullity.

8.

The very purpose of initiation of proclamation proceedings, is to compel and secure the presence of the accused to face trial and establish the rule of law, as also to ensure finalization of the proceedings. 9.

Considering the fact that the absence of the petitioner was not wilful or deliberate and his readiness and willingness to surrender and join the proceedings, in case one opportunity is granted to the petitioner, no prejudice shall be caused to any of the parties, rather his joining the proceedings would help in expediting the trial. This Court in light of the judgment referred to above being applicable to the instant case, finds that the ends of justice would be adequately met if the present petition is allowed.

10.

In view of the afore-mentioned judgments and the facts and circumstances of the case, the impugned orders dated 26.03.2025 and 26.05.2025, Annexures P5 and P6, are set aside. 11.

He is directed to surrender before the trial Court on or before 20.05.2026 and on so doing, shall release him on bail subject to its satisfaction and deposit Rs.10,000/- as costs with Shri Sanatan Dharma Adhyan Kendra (Regd.), A/c No.0575000100044792, Punjab National Bank, Sector 16-D, Chandigarh, within a period of 10 days. On furnishing bail/surety bonds, he is also directed to furnish undertaking by way of an affidavit that he will appear on each and every date of hearing before the trial Court, unless specifically exempted by the Court. He shall not leave the country without prior permission of the Court. The trial Court may impose any other condition that it may deem appropriate in the facts and circumstances of the present case. 12.

The petition is disposed of.

13.

Before parting with this order, it is made abundantly clear that in case the petitioner does not adhere to the aforesaid, the present petition shall be deemed to have been dismissed without any reference to this Court. (AMAN CHAUDHARY) JUDGE 06.05.2026 ashok Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes / No Whether reportable :

Yes / No