Deepak vs State Of Karnataka, By Bommanahalli P.S., Represented By State Public Prosecutor, High Court Of Karnataka, Benaluru - 560001

S Vishwajith Shetty, J

Accused No.1 in S.C.No.217/2022 pending on the file of LX Addl. City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru, arising out of Crime No.124/2021 registered by Bommanahalli Police Station, Bengaluru for the offences punishable under Sections 302 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code (for short hereinafter referred to as 'IPC'), is before this Court under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. seeking regular bail.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is in custody from 16.09.2021. The case of the prosecution is based on the circumstantial evidence. All the three accused persons are in custody. The trial of the case is yet to commence and accordingly, he prays to allow the petition.

Per contra, learned HCGP submits that the bail application of accused No.2 has been rejected by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court. Accused No.1 hails from State of West Bengal. There are only 29 charge sheet witnesses to be examined in the case. If six months time is granted, the trial could be completed before the Trial Court and main case itself can be disposed of.

Submissions made on both sides is placed on record.

Considering the nature of allegations found against the accused persons in the charge sheet and also having regard to the fact that the accused persons are in custody for the last more than two years, I am of the view that the trial Court be directed to expedite the trial and dispose of the case within a time frame. Accordingly, the following:

ORDER

The criminal petition is disposed of directing the trial Court to expedite the trial in S.C.No.217/2022 and dispose of the case on its merits as expeditiously as possible but not later than period of six months from the next hearing date before the Trial Court.