Tejinder Singh vs State of Punjab

J.S. Sekhon, J.

Tejinder Singh petitioner while posted as Manager of the Primary Agricultural Development Bank, Dhuri is alleged to have advanced loans to genuine persons on the basis of fictitious documents and has allegedly embezzled 31/2 lacs of rupees. Ultimately on the report of the authorities on 19121989, three cases were registered against him vide FIR Nos. 245, 246 and 247 at Police Station, Dhuri. He has sought the intervention of this Court for releasing him on anticipatory bail under section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Perusal of Annexure A. 2 dated 3171989, reveals that after detecting some embezzlement, the petitioner had held Darshan Singh, Field Officer responsible for the same and sought his explanation. Darshan Singh vide his explanation (Annexure A. 7) dated 1681989 admitted that due to oversight, he has not been able to verify the documents tendered by the different persons for obtaining loan correctly and apoligised for the same. The petitioner vide Annexure A. 9 dated 2681989 wrote to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Sangrur for registration of a case against Darshan Singh and some other persons who had obtained loan from the bank on the basis of fictitious documents. Shri Mubarak Singh, Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies who happened to be the administrator of the Bank started an enquiry into the matter. It is alleged that he tried to blackmail the aforesaid Darshan Singh, Field Officer, who got raid from the Vigilance Department of the Police organised against Mubarak Singh, who was caught redhanded for accepting bribe from Darshan Singh. The petitioner has alleged that the present case has been registered against him thereafter as he figured as an eyewitness to the abovereferred acceptance of hush money from Darshan Singh and that he is being pressurised not to depose against Mubarak Singh by registration of the present case.

Without going into the merits of the allegations of the petitioner, but keeping in view that the petitioner had started taking steps against the Field Officer much prior to the registration of the case against him regarding the same allegations, the petitioner is directed to be released on anticipatory bail to the satisfaction of the concerned investigator. He is, however, directed to Join the investigation and produce all the relevant record in his custody, if required to do so.

This application stands disposed of accordingly.