Manjeet @ Billa vs State Of Haryana

Anupinder Singh Grewal, J

Case taken up through video conferencing.

The petitioner is seeking regular bail in FIR No.560 dated 28.05.2019, under Sections 224, 225, 307, 34 IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act (Section 120-B IPC and 54-59 of the Arms Act added lateron), registered at Police Station Karnal Sadar, District Karnal.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner is not named in the FIR wherein it is alleged that 03 co-accused were named therein and had got under-trial release from police custody. The petitioner has been arraigned as an accused on the statement of co-accused that the petitioner had provided a vehicle and had helped the under-trial to escape. The petitioner is in custody for over 02 years and 04 months.

Learned State counsel, however, contends that the petitioner had actively conspired with the co-accused for getting the under-trial released. The petitioner is also involved in other cases. He upon instructions states that although the challan has been filed but no prosecution witnesses have been examined.

Heard.

In view of the above, especially when the petitioner is not named in the FIR, he is in custody for over 02 years and 04 months, Covid 19 pandemic and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, 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 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.

However, the petitioner shall appear before the Police Station, Sadar Karnal, District Karnal on every alternate Monday till the conclusion of the trial.