High Court of Punjab and HaryanaCRM-M/43799/2022disposed of

Laljit Singh Bhullar v. State Of Punjab

2022-12-07Mr. Justice Raj Mohan Singh3 pages

-1202-2

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 07.12.2022 Laljit Singh Bhullar -Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab -Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJ MOHAN SINGH

Present:

Mr. Sumeet Goel, Sr. Advocate, with Mr. Samir Rathaur, Advocate, and Mr. Shivam Kaushik, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. R.S. Pandher, Sr. D.A.G., Punjab.

**** RAJ MOHAN SINGH, J. (Oral) Petitioner seeks grant of anticipatory bail under Section 438 Cr.P.C. in case bearing FIR No.276 dated 26.08.2020 under Sections 188, 269, 270 IPC and under Section 51-B of Disaster Management Act, registered at Police Station Sadar Tarn Taran, Punjab and for quashing of order dated 26.08.2022 passed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tarn Taran whereby bail granted to the petitioner was cancelled and non-bailable warrants were issued. On 21.09.2022, following order was passed:- "This a petition under Section 482 read

-2with Section 438 Cr.P.C. for quashing of order dated 26.08.2022 (Annexures P-2) passed by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tarn Taran, cancelling the bail of the petitioner and also dismissing the prayer for exemption. The Court has also issued non-bailable warrants after cancelling the bail of the petitioner.

Learned senior counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is a Minister in Punjab Government and there was a cabinet meeting fixed on 26.08.2022. The agenda of the cabinet meeting was in respect of action plan for adoption and implementation of revamped distribution sector scheme launched by Ministry of Power, Government of India. The documentary details of the minutes of the meeting etc for the cabinet meeting dated 26.08.2022 were not produced before the Court of Sessions keeping in view the sacrosanct nature of documents including the requirement of maintaining confidentiality in respect of such proceedings.

Petitioner is ready to appear before the trial Court with a request to grant regular bail to him on the same terms and conditions as were imposed while granting him regular bail at earlier point of time.

Notice of motion.

Learned State counsel appears on the basis of advance notice and on instructions from SI Raj Kumar submits that factum of

-3scheduled meeting on 26.08.2022 has been verified and the same is found to be correct. Keeping in view the nature of allegations and the fact that the petitioner was earlier granted regular bail by the trial Court, I deem it appropriate to direct the petitioner to appear before the trial Court within a week. On doing so, he shall be granted interim bail to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

List on 02.11.2022."

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the aforesaid order, the petitioner has already appeared before the trial Court within the time specified by this Court and has been granted interim bail to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Gurmeet Singh admits the aforesaid position.

In view of above, order dated 21.09.2022 is hereby made absolute.

However, the petitioner shall keep on appearing before the trial Court regularly in accordance with law. 07.12.2022 (RAJ MOHAN SINGH) Jyoti Sharma JUDGE 1.Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No 2.Whether reportable :

Yes/No