Komal v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision : 16.01.2024 KOMAL ....Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB ....Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PANKAJ JAIN Present :

Mr. Ruhani Chadha, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Tarun Aggarwal, Sr. DAG, Punjab.

PANKAJ JAIN, J. (ORAL) On 11.10.2023, the following order was passed :- Apprehending her arrest in FIR No.76, dated 08.05.2023, registered for offences punishable under Sections 21 of the NDPS Act, and offence under Section 29 of the NDPS Act added later on, at Police Station Sadar Jalandhar, District Jalandhar, the petitioner has preferred this petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C. seeking pre-arrest bail.

Ld. Counsel for the petitioner inter alia contends that the petitioner has been nominated on the disclosure made by co-accused Darshana Rani wife of Balbir @ Kala and Arzoo wife of Vinod Kumar. The petitioner has clean antecedents and has no history of ever being involved in offence punishable under the NDPS Act. Apart from the disclosure made by co-accused there is nothing at this stage against the petitioner and the disclosure is inadmissible in evidence in view of law laid down by the Supreme Court in Tofan Singh vs. State of Tamil Nadu, (2021) 4 SCC 1.

Issue notice of motion, returnable for 16.01.2024. Mr. Tarun Aggarwal, Sr. DAG, Punjab appears and accepts

notice on behalf of the respondent/State.

In the meantime, in the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on interim bail subject to her furnishing personal and surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer/Investigating Officer. As and when called, the petitioner shall join the investigation. She shall abide by the conditions enumerated under Section 438(2) of the Cr.P.C."

2.

Today, Ld. State Counsel on instructions from ASI Manjit Ram submits that the petitioner has already joined investigation and is no more required for custodial interrogation.

3.

Without commenting on the merits of the case and in view of the aforesaid fact, order dated 11.10.2023 is made absolute, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Sections 438(2) Cr.P.C. 4.

This order should not be treated as "blanket" order. It will not be read granting the petitioner indefinite protection from arrest. It shall be confined to the FIR mentioned ibid and will not operate in respect of any other incident that involves commission of an offence. 5.

This order does not in any manner limit or restrict the rights or duties of the police or investigating agency to investigate into the charges against the petitioner.

6.

The petitioner shall be deemed to be in custody for the purpose of Section 27 of the Evidence Act in regard to a discovery of facts made in pursuance of information supplied by the petitioner in case the occasion arises.

7.

It will be open to the police or the investigating agency to

move this Court for a direction under Section 439(2) Cr.P.C. to arrest the accused, in the event of violation of any term, such as absconding, noncooperating during investigation, evasion, intimidation or inducement to witnesses with a view to influence outcome of the investigation or trial. 8.

Petition stands disposed off accordingly.

January 16, 2024 (Pankaj Jain) Dpr Judge Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No