High Court of Punjab and HaryanaCRM-M/99/2023allowed

Satnam Singh v. State Of Punjab

2023-01-11Mr. Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya2 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH ***** CRM-M No.99 of 2023 Date of Decision : 11.1.2023 Satnam Singh ..... Petitioner versus State of Punjab ..... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA

Present:

Mr. N.K. Vadehra, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Kunal Vinayak, AAG, Punjab --- TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA J. (ORAL):

This is a petition under Section 439 Cr.P.C. seeking regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.268 dated 28.10.2020 under Sections 363, 366 IPC (Section 376-D IPC and Section 4 of POCSO Act which was amended as Section 6 of POCSO Act added later on), registered at Police Station Ghuman, Police District Batala, District Gurdaspur.

As per the allegations in the FIR, registered on the statement of complainant's father, the prosecutrix was missing from her home and could not be located despite extensive search. The petitioner and another person, namely, Judge, compelled the prosecutrix to marry the petitioner. Her statement under Section 164 Cr.P.C. was recorded wherein she attributed some indecent act to Manpreet Singh alias Manna, who has already been admitted to regular bail by this Court vide order dated 10.11.2022. The petitioner is in custody since 28.11.2020.

Learned State counsel states that three out of twenty four witnesses, including the prosecutrix, have been examined. Considering the aforesaid facts and also that conclusion of the trial ASHWANI KUMAR 2023.01.11 17:46 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M No.99 of 2023 -2will take a long time and no useful purpose would be served by confining the petitioner in custody during pendency of the trial, this Court is of the view that he deserves to be released on bail.

Accordingly, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate. (TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA) JUDGE 11.1.2023 Ashwani Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No ASHWANI KUMAR 2023.01.11 17:46 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document