IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. *** CWP No. 2217 of 2006 Date of decision: September 02, 2008. *** H.C.Arora Versus State of Punjab and others. *** CXORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.S.THAKUR, CJ AND HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT. *** Present: Shri J.S.Rana, Advocate, for Shri H.C.Arora, petitioner. Shri Amol Rattan Singh, Addl:AG, with Ms. Sonu Chahal, DAG, Punjab. Shri Rameshwar Malik, Addl:AG, Haryana, for respondent No.2. Ms. Deepali Puri, Advocate, for respondent No.3- U.T. Administration, Chandigarh. *** T.S.THAKUR, CJ (ORAL) This petition has been filed in Public Interest. It seeks a mandamus directing respondents No. 1 to 3 to start a fresh drive for nabbing those declared proclaimed offenders and absconders in the States of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. In response to a notice issued by this Court, the State of Punjab has filed two affidavits in which it is, inter-alia, stated that the police department has started a drive to arrest all proclaimed offenders and bail jumpers, and nabbed a large number of such persons during the last three years. In the affidavit sworn by Gautam Cheema, IPS, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Crime, Punjab, the figures of such arrests between the years 2000 to 2008 have also been given. On a perusal of the said affidavit, it is evident that hundreds of proclaimed offenders have been arrested during the past eight years or so. In the year 2007 itself, as many as 886 proclaimed offenders were arrested. In year 2008 also the -2- CWP No. 2217 of 2006 figure of those arrested is as high as 550 proclaimed offenders and 1997 absconders. It is argued by Mr. Singh, counsel appearing for the State of Punjab that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Intelligence has issued circular-instructions to all the Senior Superintendents of Police, Punjab in terms of Annexure R-5 dated November 13, 2007 impressing upon them the need to take up the drive for arrest of proclaimed offenders and absconders on priority basis and produce them before the courts concerned. In so far as the State of Haryana is concerned, an affidavit has been filed by Shri Sharad Kumar, Additional; Director General of Police, from a reading whereof it does appear that special drives have been taken up by the police to arrest the proclaimed offenders and bail jumpers in the State of Haryana also. The affidavit further indicates that between 15.03.2008 to 15.04.2008 as many as 78 proclaimed offenders, 644 absconders and 5 parole jumpers were arrested. The affidavit goes on to state that the Deputy Superintendents of Police in the State of Haryana have been directed to up date the record of the proclaimed offenders, bail jumpers and parole jumpers. The Deputy Superintendents of Police have been further directed to get all the proclaimed offenders and absconders arrested immediately. That is true, even in regard to Union Territory of Chandigarh. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh has similarly given the particulars of those arrested in the recent past. The affidavit also gives particulars of the arrests made during the years 2007-2008. In the light of the initiatives taken by the police authorities of the States of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, we see no reason to continue with the present proceedings. The same can, in our opinion, be disposed of with a direction to the police authorities in the States of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh to take effective steps for arrest of all such accused-persons as have been -3- CWP No. 2217 of 2006 declared proclaimed offenders and as have jumped bail or parole granted to them. Appropriate directions shall in this regard be issued by the state authorities to the S.H.Os of the concerned police stations to ensure that proclaimed offenders and persons jumping bail to avoid the legal process do not get any benefit from the laxity or inaction on the part of the police. This petition is accordingly disposed of with the above direction. A copy of the order shall be given dasti to counsel appearing for the States of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory, Chandigarh. No costs. (T.S.THAKUR) CHIEF JUSTICE (SURYA KANT) JUDGE September 02, 2008. Malik