Naresh Kumar vs State Of Haryana

Arvind Singh Sangwan, J

This common order shall dispose of above noted two petitions as they arise out of the same FIR.

Prayer in these petitions, filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, is for grant of regular bail to petitioners Naresh Kumar and Baljeet Singh in case FIR No. 360 dated 20.08.2020, registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 474, 198, 201, 120-B of the IPC; Section 12(1)B of the Passport Act; Sections 7, 8, and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 66C and 66D of the I.T. Act, 2000 at Police Station City Tohana, District Fatehabad.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that both the petitioners are working as Constable in Haryana Police and they were on the duty of verification of passport application form.

Learned counsel relies upon order dated 21.01.2021 passed in CRM-M-2360-2021, vide which co-accused Rajvinder Singh was granted concession of regular bail by this Court.

Learned counsel further submits that even other Govt. officials, who were working in the Passport Office, have been granted concession of regular bail, vide orders dated 17.12.2020 & 10.02.2021 passed in CRM-M Nos. 41571 of 2020 and 5122 of 2021, respectively, wherein co-accused Debashish Chakraborty and Sukhdev have been granted concession of regular bail by this Court.

Learned State counsel has not disputed the factual position and submitted that challan stands presented before the trial Court on 11.02.2021.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties.

Without commenting upon the merits of the case, considering the fact that petitioners are in judicial custody since 17.11.2020; they are Govt. officials; co-accused have already been granted concession of regular bail as noticed above and also in view of the fact that they are no more required for any further custodial investigation; the instant petitions are allowed. Petitioners Naresh Kumar and Baljeet Singh are ordered to be released on regular bail on their furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate concerned.

A photocopy of this order be placed on the file of other connected case.