(1.) The petitioner, who is apprehending his imminent arrest on being arraigned as an accused, in case FIR number 353/2019 dated 2.12.2019, registered under Sections 376 , 506 , 294 , 354 , 509 of the Indian Penal Code, in Police Station, Sadar Mandi, District Mandi, H.P., disclosing non-bailable offences, has come up before this Court Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking anticipatory bail.
(2.) The status report stands filed. I have heard learned counsel, for the petitioner and learned Additional Advocate General, for the respondent/ State. I have seen the status report(s) as well as the police file, to the extent it was necessary for deciding the present petition and the same stands returned to the police official through counsel appearing for the State.
(3.) The counsel for the petitioner submits that the accused had joined the investigation as and when the Investigating Officer so directed him. Learned Additional Advocate General did not dispute this averment.