GURMAIL SINGH Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Sequel to order dated 5.9.2019, whereby petitioner was ordered to be enlarged on bail in connection with FIR No. 1/18 dated 25.2.2018 under Sections 32 and 33 of the Indian Forest Act, Sections 420 and 120-B of IPC and Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, registered with Police Station SV&ACB Bilaspur, District Bilaspur, H.P., Mr. Kulbhushan Verma Additional SP and Mr. Rajesh Prashar, Insp., P.S. SV & ACB, Bilaspur, H.P., have come present alongwith records. Mr. Kunal Thakur, learned Deputy Advocate General, has also placed on record status report prepared on the basis of investigation carried out by the Investigating Agency. Record perused and returned.

(2.) Learned Deputy Advocate General, on instructions from Investigating Officer, who is present in Court, fairly stated that petitioner has joined the investigation in terms of previous order dated 5.9.2019, passed by this Court and his custodial interrogation is not required. He on the instructions of Investigating Officer also stated that State has no objection in case, the petitioner is ordered to be enlarged on bail subject to condition that he shall always make himself available as and when required by the Investigating Agency.

(3.) Needless to say object of the bail is to secure the attendance of the accused in the trial and the proper test to be applied in the solution of the question whether bail should be granted or refused is whether it is probable that the party will appear to take his trial. Otherwise, bail is not to be withheld as a punishment. Otherwise also, normal rule is of bail and not jail. Court has to keep in mind nature of accusations, nature of evidence in support thereof, severity of the punishment which conviction will entail, character of the accused, circumstances which are peculiar to the accused involved in that crime.