Rahul Mehra Alias Pendu v. State Of Punjab

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision:13.01.2026 Rahul Mehra @ Pendu ... Petitioner Vs.

State of Punjab ... Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA

Present:

Mr. Kanwaljeet Singh Brar, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Ruchika Sabherwal, Sr. DAG, Punjab.

...

Manisha Batra, J. (Oral).

1.

The petitioner is seeking quashing of order dated 07.02.2025 as passed by the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bathinda in case arising out of FIR No.158, dated 18.08.2021, registered under Sections 21(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act, at Police Station Civil Lines, Bathinda, District Bathinda, whereby his bail was cancelled and bonds were forfeited to the State on account of his non-appearance. 2.

It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner had been extended benefit of pre-arrest bail by this Court on 29.09.2021. He had been regularly appearing before the learned trial Court. On 07.02.2025, he could not appear as he had noted down the wrong date

-2of hearing. His bail was cancelled due to that reason. His absence was not intentional. He is ready to join the proceedings and to abide by the terms imposed by the learned trial Court. Now the trial Court has adjourned the case for 20.01.2026 and has issued fresh warrants against him. It is, thus, urged that the petition deserves to be allowed. 3.

Notice of motion.

4.

Learned State counsel has advance notice of the petition and has submitted that there is no illegality or infirmity in the impugned order. Hence, the same does not deserve to be quashed. 5.

This Court has heard the rival submissions made by learned counsel for the parties.

6.

The petitioner had absented himself on 07.02.2025. A perusal of the impugned order reveals that the bail was cancelled due to nonappearance of the petitioner. Though, there is no illegality or infirmity in the impugned order since it has been passed on account of absence of the petitioner, however, keeping in view the fact that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the proceedings before the trial Court and is also ready to abide by the terms to be imposed by upon him, the petition is disposed of by directing him to surrender before the learned trial Court on or before the date fixed i.e. 20.01.2026. On his doing so and on deposit of costs of Rs.10,000/- with the DLSA concerned, he shall be admitted to bail on his furnishing fresh personal as well as surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court concerned.

7.

Disposed of.

-38.

A copy of this order be sent to the learned trial Court for necessary compliance.

(MANISHA BATRA) 13.01.2026 JUDGE harjeet Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No