SHAMSHER SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS petition has been filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR No. 65 dated 5.9.2002, under Sections 8, 12, 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Sections 468/ 471/ 120-B of the Indian Penal Code at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Patiala Range, F.S.II, Patiala. While issuing notice of motion, the following order was passed by this Court on 23.7.2010:- Heard. It has been submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that previously also two FIRs regarding the allegations of corruption against Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu were registered and the petitioner was named as accused in one of those FIR. For the same allegatiions, he was discharged by Special Judge, Patiala vide order dated 24.3.2003 (Annexure P-1) and as such it cannot be said that he is required for custodial interrogation. Notice of motion for 15.9.2010. In the meanwhile, in the event of arrest, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer,subject to the following conditions:- (i) he shall join the investigation as and when required by the Investigating Officer; (ii) he shall not offer any threat, promise or inducement to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing the same to the Investigating officer/ Court and; (iii) he shall not leave the limits of this country without prior permission of the Court. Learned State counsel, on instructions from Inspector Satpal, has submitted that the petitioner has joined investigation in terms of the order reproduced above. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this petition is allowed and the order granting interim bail dated 23.7.2010 is made absolute.