MANMOHAN SINGH @ BANTOO Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner was not named in the FIR recorded on the basis of the statement of Mohinder Singh (I) in respect of the murder of Sant Darshan Singh on May 22, 2000. The FIR was recorded on June 14, 2000 and names of Mohinder Singh (II), Govind Singh and Surjit Singh were mentioned therein. The motive given was that Mohinder Singh (II) had borrowed Rs. two lacs from the deceased and done him to death as he wanted to keep that money. No post mortem on the person of the deceased was conducted as his followers had objected. However, when the dead body was bathed, the informant saw injuries on the left flank and bullet marks on the right shoulder. After the registration of the case the main suspects mentioned in the FIR were placed in column 2 and the present petitioner alongwith Charanjit Singh and Surinder Kumar were sent up for trial.

(2.) THE sole evidence against the petitioner is that he is alleged to have made an extra judicial confession to his co-accused Surinder Kumar. Apart from that there does not appear to be any direct or circumstantial evidence to connect the petitioner with the crime. Under the circumstances, the petitioner is entitled to release on bail. Bail to the satisfaction of CJM, Ludhiana. Petition allowed.