HARDEV SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petition is for anticipatory bail for alleged offence under Sections 307, 353, 186, 332, 341 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code in case FIR No.248 dated 08.12.2011 at Police Station Kotwali, District Patiala. The incident in which the petitioner is said to have been involved had an earlier history of the petitioner's brother having been involved in a criminal case registered against him for having caused damage to the Railway's property that gave rise to registration of case for offence under Section 154 of the Railways Act, lodged at the instance of the Railway Protection Force. In respect of the same incident another case has already been registered under Section 279 and 427 of the IPC at Police Station Railway Police Station, Patiala. On being produced before the Court, it appears that the petitioner's brother had given a complaint against the police contending that cash of Rs.4200/ - and mobile phone had been snatched by the police officials.

(2.) THE contention is that on account of the fact that the petitioner's brother had made a complaint to the Magistrate, the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the case. The incident is said to have been taken place when the investigating officer in the case registered against his brother and two other police officials were going in Gypsy vehicle and at that time petitioner's brother, his father and two others including the petitioner were said to have attacked the police officials with iron rods and pipes. In the case that had been originally lodged reporting the incident as having taken place on 08.10.2011, there has been a reference to four persons as having caused injuries without naming the petitioner but the petitioner was implicated by name only through supplementary statements received from the police themselves.

(3.) IT appears that Charanjit Singh and Ranjit Singh have already been apprehended and they are still in confinement. As far as petitioner is concerned, the fact that his name does not figure in the first complaint and the injury stated to have been caused by him was only on Jang Bahadur which is also simple injury, I would give to the petitioner the benefit at this stage and I am of the view that he is entitled for being released on bail in the event of his arrest by the investigating officer to his satisfaction and as per the conditions as laid down under Section 438 (2) of the Cr.P.C. He will join the investigation as and when required by the police and will not tamper with evidence or hamper the investigation.