Dharminder Singh Alias Bhinder Singh v. State Of Punjab
CRM-M-38424-2022
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-38424-2022 Date of decision: 11.01.2023 Dharminder Singh @ Bhinder Singh
...Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab
...Respondent
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANOOP CHITKARA
Present:
Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Virat Rana, AAG, Punjab **** ANOOP CHITKARA, J.
FIR No.
Dated Police Station Sections 05.07.2022 Sangat Bathinda, Distt. Bathinda 307, 506, 148, 149 IPC and 25, 27 of Arms Act 1.
The petitioner apprehending arrest in the FIR captioned above, had come up before this Court under Section 438 CrPC seeking anticipatory bail. 2.
Vide order dated 29.08.2022, the petitioner was granted interim protection, which is continuing till date.
3.
Counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner has complied conditions of the order dated 22.11.2022. He further argued that the custodial investigation would serve no purpose whatsoever, and the pre-trial incarceration would cause an irreversible injustice to the petitioner and family. Moreover, he has joined the investigation. 4.
The State's counsel does not rebut the petitioner's counsel submission. He submits that petitioner was not the main accused and was not carrying fire arm. REASONING:
5.
Thus, there would be no justification to keep this bail pending waiting for the proper investigation. The petitioner was granted interim protection, and during the interregnum, there is no allegation that he had intimidated the victim or victim's family or the witnesses or that he had hampered the investigation, or despite being called to join the investigation, he did not appear before the investigator. Given the above, there would be no justification to discontinue the interim protection, and the order dated 29.08.2022 is made absolute subject to the petitioner complying with the terms of the bail order and the following additional conditions. 6.
that the petitioner shall not enter the property, workplace, and the residence of the victim and shall also not enter within a radius of one kilometer from the victim's home till the recording of the statements of all non-official and informal witnesses in SONIA ARORA 2023.01.12 17:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document
CRM-M-38424-2022 the trial. This Court is imposing this condition to rule out any attempt by the accused to incapacitate, influence, or cause any discomfort to the victim. Reference be made to Vikram Singh v Central Bureau of Investigation, 2018 All SCR (Crl.) 458); and Aparna Bhatt v. State of Madhya Pradesh, 2021 SCC Online SC 230. If the petitioner fails to comply with this condition, then on this ground alone. In that case, the bail might be canceled, and the complainant may file any such application for the cancellation of bail, and State shall file the said application. 7.
In return for the protection from incarceration, the Court believes that the accused shall also reciprocate through desirable behavior. It is clarified that in case the petitioner does not mend his ways and repeats the offence or indulge in criminal behaviour, then in all future matters, the concerned courts shall keep it as a factor that this court had afforded a final opportunity to the petitioner to reform and live a normal lifebut did not mend his ways.
8.
The conditions mentioned above imposed by this court are to endeavour that the accused does not repeat the offence and to ensure the safety of the witnesses, victim, and their families. In Sushila Aggarwal, (2020) 5 SCC 1, Para 92, the Constitutional Bench held that unusually, subject to the evidence produced, the Courts can impose restrictive conditions. In Sumit Mehta v. State of N.C.T. of Delhi, (2013)15 SCC 570, Para 11, Supreme Court holds that while exercising power Under Section 438 of the Code, the Court is duty-bound to strike a balance between the individual's right to personal freedom and the right of investigation of the police. While exercising utmost restraint, the Court can impose conditions countenancing its object as permissible under the law to ensure an uninterrupted and unhampered investigation.In Mohammed Zubair v.
State of NCT of Delhi, Writ Petition (Criminal) No 279 of 2022, Para 29, decided on July 20, 2022, A Three-Judge bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court holds that "The bail conditions imposed by the Court must not only have a nexus to the purpose that they seek to serve but must also be proportional to the purpose of imposing them. The courts while imposing bail conditions must balance the liberty of the accused and the necessity of a fair trial. While doing so, conditions that would result in the deprivation of rights and liberties must be eschewed."
Petition allowed in aforesaid terms. Interim order dated 29.08.2022 is made absolute subject to strict compliance of all terms and conditions. All pending applications, if any, stand disposed.
(ANOOP CHITKARA) JUDGE 11.01.2023 sonia arora Whether speaking/reasoned:
Yes Whether reportable:
No. SONIA ARORA 2023.01.12 17:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document