Prem Lata vs State Of Punjab

Harsimran Singh Sethi, J

The petition has been taken for hearing through video conference due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The petitioner is seeking anticipatory bail in FIR No. 56 dated 16.05.2019, under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC, registered at Police Station Tapa Mandi,

District Barnala.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has joined investigation in terms of order passed by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court

dated 20.05.2020. Order dated 20.05.2020 is as under:-

“Prayer in these petitions is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners namely Kapil Kumar and Prem Lata in FIR No.56 dated 16.05.2019

registered under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC at Police Station Tapa Mandi, District Barnala.

Counsel for the petitioners has argued that as per the allegations in the FIR, the complainant â€"Mehma Singh had deposited an amount of

Rs.8,94,100/- in the account of the petitioner â€" Kapil Kumar for sending him abroad/Canada, however, neither the complainant was sent to Canada

nor the amount was returned. Counsel for the petitioners has also submitted that it is further stated in the FIR that thereafter, the complainants were

not traceable and thereafter, this FIR has been registered. It is further submitted that the petitioners are ready to explore the possibility of some

settlement and to show their bona-fide they will deposit an amount of Rs.3,00,000/- with the Illaqa Magistrate without prejudice to their right of

defence to be paid to the complainant on furnishing solvent surety. It is also argued that the entire allegations are against the petitioner â€" Kapil

Kumar whereas the petitioner â€" Prem Lata is involved in the FIR only, being the wife of the petitioner â€" Kapil Kumar though, she is named as

Riya Sharma in the FIR.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Gaurav Garg Dhuriwala, Sr. DAG, Punjab, who is appearing through video conferencing, accepts notice on behalf of the State.

List again on 29.05.2020.

In the meantime, the petitioner â€" Prem Lata is directed to deposit an amount of Rs.3 lacs with the Illaqa Magistrate without prejudice to their right

of the defence to be taken during the course of trial.

The petitioner â€" Prem Lata is further directed to appear before the Investigating Officer, after depositing the aforesaid amount, to join investigation

and she shall be released on interim bail on furnishing bail/surety bonds subject to the following conditions:-

She shall make herself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required;

She shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him

from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer; and

She shall not leave India without previous permission of the Court.

The case of the petitioner â€" Kapil Kumar for grant of interim bail will be considered after the amount of Rs.3,00,000/- is deposited with the Illaqa

Magistrate.

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

Learned State counsel, who has also joined the proceedings through video conference, on instructions from ASI Jasvir Singh states that in terms of the

order passed by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court reproduced before, the petitioner has joined the investigation.

In view of the above, the order dated 20.05.2020 granting interim bail to the petitioner is made absolute.

However, the petitioner shall abide by the conditions stipulated under Section 438(2) Cr.P.C. She shall also join investigation and co-operate as and

when called upon to do so.

In case at any given point of time hereinafter, it is felt by the police that petitioner is required for the investigation but is not joining the same or co-

operating, they will be at liberty to approach this Court for passing appropriate orders.

The petition stands disposed of.