Satnam Singh vs State of Punjab

S.S. Saron, J.—Heard counsel for the parties.

The Petitioner seeks regular bail in a case registered against him on 17.08.2010 at Police Station Patran, District Patiala, for the offence under Sections 363, 366-A and 120-B IPC.

The FIR in the case has been registered on the statement of Joga Singh, which was received by Incharge Police Post, City Patran.

According to complainant-Joga Singh, he and his brother were running a shop in the name and style of Pappu Confectionery at Jakhal Road, Patran. He had two daughters and a son. One daughter (the victim) was studying in 10+1 Class. Her date of birth is 02.11.1993. On 09.08.2010, daughter of the complainant i.e. the victim had gone to school and the complainant Joga Singh rang up his brother Puran Singh, who was residing at Tibba Basti, Patran, to bring back his daughters from the school. Puran Singh (the brother of the complainant) went to the school to bring the daughters of the complainant back. However, whereabouts of one of the daughter who is the victim could not be known. They had been searching for her till 17.08.2010. It, then, came to be revealed to the complainant that Ranjit Singh with the help of his sister Amrit Pal Kaur and his cousin brother Satnam Singh (Petitioner) and brother-in-law of his sister namely Darshan Singh had taken away the daughter (the victim) of the complainant by enticing her to marry. The Petitioner, is stated to have helped Ranjit Singh his cousin brother along with Darshan Singh by enticing the victim to marry Ranjit Singh.

The Petitioner is in custody since 17.08.2010. The further custody of the Petitioner is not required for the purposes of investigation. The prosecution has cited 21 witnesses. The charge in the case has not been framed. The main accused who is stated to have committed rape on the victim is Ranjit Singh. The Petitioner is said to be cousin brother of said Ranjit Singh. The statement of the victim was recorded on 25.08.2010 by the learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class. In the said statement, the victim has said that the Petitioner who is the son of father''s younger brother of the main accused-Ranjit Singh is said to have allured the victim to solemnize marriage with Ranjit Singh. Besides, the Petitioner along with Darshan Singh on 19.08.2010 had brought the victim to the Gurudwara where her parents were present. The role of the Petitioner is to be established after evidence is led. The Petitioner is in custody since 17.08.2010. The prosecution has cited 21 witnesses. However, none has been examined till date. In fact, the charges have not been framed.

In the circumstances, the Petitioner on his furnishing personal bond and surety to the satisfaction of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Patiala, shall be admitted to bail.

Accordingly, the criminal miscellaneous petition is disposed of.