Arshdeep Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision : December 12, 2024 ARSHDEEP SINGH -PETITIONER V/S STATE OF PUNJAB -RESPONDENT

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI

Present:

Ms./Mrs. Poonam Verma, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Pardeep Bajaj, D.A.G., Punjab.

*** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1.

Through the instant petition, prayer is made for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, in FIR No.08 dated 09.01.2020, under Sections 21/29/61/85 of the N.D.P.S. Act, registered at P.S. Special Task Force, Mohali.

2.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, consequent upon the petitioner becoming granted the relief of bail in the present FIR, vide order dated 17.02.2020 (Annexure P-2), he was regularly appearing before the trial Court. However, owing to some miscommunication with his trial court's counsel, the petitioner noted down wrong date of hearing, which resulted in his absence before the learned trial Court on the relevant date(s). Consequently, the learned trial Court drew the order dated 22.10.2024 (Annexure P-4), thereby cancelling petitioner's bail and forfeiting his bail and surety bonds. Moreover, non bailable warrants of arrest have also been issued against the petitioner.

3.

Although the learned counsel for the petitioner made a vociferous attempt to assail the validity of the order (Annexure P-4), however, she failed in her endeavour. In the above scenario, the learned counsel for the petitioner makes a request that the petitioner does not have any intention to escape from the clutches of law and he is ready and willing to join the trial proceedings, in case he is granted adequate protection.

4.

Although this Court does not find any illegality or perversity in the order (Annexure P-4), however, considering the innocuous prayer of the learned counsel for the petitioner, coupled with the fact that the underlying object behind issuance of "non bailable warrants of arrest", which is in fact to secure the presence of an accused for facing trial, can be achieved through the petitioner becoming directed to cause appearance before the learned trial Court, therefore, the instant petition is disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to appear before the learned trial Court within 10 days from today. In case, the petitioner appears within the above stipulated period and furnishes fresh bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court, he shall be released on regular bail. The operation of the impugned order (Annexure P-4) shall remain stayed for the next 10 days. However, this relief is subject to the petitioner depositing costs of ₹ 5000/- with the District Legal Services Authority concerned.

5.

It is also clarified that, in case, the petitioner fails to appear before the learned trial Court concerned within the above stipulated

period, the protection granted hereinabove qua his arrest shall stand ipso facto vacated, without any further reference to this Court. 6.

It is also clarified that this order does not cause any impediment for the learned trial Court concerned to initiate proceedings under Section 446 of the Cr.P.C./491 of the B.N.S.S. 7.

Disposed of accordingly.

(KULDEEP TIWARI) December 12, 2024 JUDGE devinder Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether Reportable :

Yes/No