Amritpal Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH Date of Decision:- 07.12.2023 Amritpal Singh ......Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab ......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ALOK JAIN ****

Present:

Mr. D.S. Gurna, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Siddharth Attri, AAG, Punjab.

**** ALOK JAIN, J. (Oral) 1.

The present petition has been filed seeking pre-arrest bail in offence under Section 326-A IPC which was added by a specific order of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Malerkotla vide order dated 16.10.2023 in FIR No. 30 dated 14.03.2016 under Sections 324, 323, 341, 506, 148 and 149 of IPC registered at Police Station Amargarh, Sangrur. 2.

It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that although he had approached this Court on behalf of other two co-accused Beant Singh and Bagga Singh. This Court was not inclined to grant them the concession of anticipatory bail and had directed them in CRM-M-61150-2023 vide order dated 02.12.2023 that they shall surrender before the trial Court on or before 13.12.2023 and in case, they apply for regular bail the trial Court shall decide the same expeditiously within

maximum five working days.

3.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there is a deviation in the present petition, as the role attributed to the petitioner does not bring him under the ambit of Section 326-A IPC, as the said act and role has been attributed specifically to Beant Singh, Bindi and Bagga Singh. He further submits that Bindi is declared as a proclaimed offender, however, Beant Singh and Bagga Singh shall surrender positively and comply with the order dated 02.12.2023.

4.

As regards the present petition, the petitioner relies upon the contents of the FIR in which the only allegation qua Amritpal Singh is that he was armed with dandas and had encircled the victim. 5.

He further submits that the petitioner has been nominated only on the ground of him being a part of an unlawful assembly by invoking Sections 148 and 149 of IPC.

6.

Per contra, learned State counsel has vehemently opposed the present petition and has submitted that the petitioner was part of the unlawful assembly which encircled the complainant, who was a handicapped man and he came with a common objective, which was to harm him. Although, he could not deny the fact that the allegation of pouring acid on the complainant has been specifically narrated against Beant Singh, Bindi and Bagga Singh.

7.

Learned State counsel has also submitted that, in fact, the complainant had subsequently committed suicide and hence, no concession should be granted.

8.

Per contra, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that a

separate FIR qua the suicide by the complainant has already been lodged in which the petitioner has not been named.

9.

Learned counsel for the petitioner also relies upon the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of "Bhadresh Bipinbhai Sheth Vs. State of Gujarat & Another, 2016(1) SCC Cri. 240", to substantiate his arguments that where the accused is implicated with the help of Sections 34 and 149 of the Penal Code, 1860 the Court should consider with even greater care and caution, because over implication in the cases is a matter of common knowledge and concern. 10.

After hearing learned counsel for the parties, the petitioner is directed to surrender before the trial Court on 13.12.2023 and shall be enlarged on bail, on the same day by the trial Court and shall proceed with the trial in accordance with law.

11.

In light of the above, the present petition stands disposed of. 12.

This order shall not be construed as a parity qua other co-accused namely Beant Singh, Bagga Singh and Bindi. (ALOK JAIN) JUDGE December 07, 2023 Parul Whether speaking/reasoned:- Yes/No Whether Reportable:- Yes/No