IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl.Misc.No.M-12270 of 2009 Date of Decision:- 06.07.2009 Harwinder Singh ....Petitioner(s) vs. State of Punjab ....Respondent(s) *** CORAM:- HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH *** Present:- Mr.Mansur Ali, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr.Amandeep Singh Rai, AAG, Punjab. *** AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH, J. (Oral) Counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner was released on regular bail pending trial in case F.I.R.No.9 dated 4.2.2004. However, during the pendency of the trial proceedings, the petitioner absented himself on 17.5.2007, leading to his being declared a proclaimed offender on 15.11.2008 and thereafter he surrendered before the police on 18.2.2009 and he is in custody since then. Counsel prays that the petitioner be ordered to be released on bail on furnishing of heavy surety. On the other hand, counsel for the respondent-State submits that the petitioner had jumped the proceedings on 17.5.2007 and thereafter did not even appear before the trial Court and was arrested only after he was declared a proclaimed offender. He states that the petitioner would again absent himself from the proceedings in the trial Court and, therefore, should not be released on bail. Crl.Misc.No.M-12270 of 2009 -2- Having heard counsel for the parties and keeping in view the fact that the petitioner is in jail since 18.2.2009, no useful purpose would be served by further keeping him in custody as the trial is likely to take long time. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail subject to his furnishing heavy surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court. July 06, 2009 ( AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH ) poonam JUDGE