Jagsir Singh Alias Jagga vs State Of Punjab

Anupinder Singh Grewal, J

Heard through video conferencing.

The petitioner is seeking regular bail in FIR No.99 dated 23.09.2018, under Sections 302, 201, 120-B, 34 IPC registered at Police Station Sadar

Rampura, district Bathinda.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that it is a case of circumstantial evidence. The allegations are that the body of Chand Singh was

recovered from the lake near Joggers Park, Bathinda on 16.09.2018. The body was kept at Civil Hospital, Bathinda as no one came forward to claim

it. It was cremated as unclaimed on 18.09.2018. On 20.09.2018, the photographs and belongings of the deceased were identified by his daughter-

Ranjit Kaur and her husband as those of Chand Singh. Ranjit Kaur informed the police that Manpreet Kaur, who is the daughter-in-law of the

deceased was having illicit relations with one Lachhman Singh @ Lachhu and they were suspected to have murdered the deceased. He, however,

contends that after the death of Chand Singh, there was a dispute with regard to inheritance of his property and Manpreet Kaur was implicated in the

case. The husband of Manpreet Kaur is a simpleton and it is alleged that he had been made a drug addict by her. The allegations against the petitioner

are that he has connived with Manpreet Kaur, who is his relative, in committing the offence. He further contends that Manpreet Kaur has been

granted regular bail by the Coordinate bench of this Court in CRM-M-24365-2019, on 25.09.2020. He also contends that the petitioner is in custody for

over 02 years and 02 months since his arrest on 30.09.2018 and is not involved in any other criminal case.

Learned State counsel, upon instructions from ASI Amritpal Singh, contends that the allegations against the petitioner are serious and therefore, he is

not entitled to the concession of regular bail. He also contends that 07 out of 22 prosecution witnesses have been examined. He, however, is not in a

position to controvert the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner that similarly situated co-accused, Manpreet Kaur, has been granted regular

bail by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in CRM-M-24365-2019, on 25.09.2020.

Heard through video conferencing.

It is a case of circumstantial evidence. The allegations against the petitioner are that he has connived with co-accused, Manpreet Kaur in eliminating

the deceased. Manpreet Kaur has been granted regular bail by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in CRM-M-24365-2019, on 25.09.2020. The

petitioner is in custody for over 02 years and 02 months, he is not involved in any other criminal case and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take

some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic as only 07 out of 22 prosecution witnesses have been examined. In view of the above, I deem it a fit case

to grant the concession of regular bail to the petitioner.

Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the instant petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular

bail on his furnishing requisite bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned.