Criminal Misc.-M No. 24903 of 2011 [1] IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Misc.-M No. 24903 of 2011 (O&M) Date of decision: 31.10.2011 Jai Ram .. Petitioner Vs. The State of Haryana .. Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH BINDAL Present: Mr. Rahul Sharma, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. G. S. Chahal, Addl. Advocate General, Haryana. ... Rajesh Bindal J. Prayer in the present petition is for grant of bail to the petitioner pending trial. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is not named in the FIR.. In fact, he retired from Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd. as Upper Division Clerk on 31.3.2011. In the FIR, one Surender Sharma has been named as accused. The FIR was got registered by the Sub Divisional Officer against Surender Sharma on account of the fact that he had sent a legal notice to the Sub Divisional Officer for initiating defamation proceedings. The petitioner is in custody since 22.7.2011. Investigation of the case is already complete and nothing is to be recovered from him at this stage. Main accused, namely, Surender Sharma has already been released on bail. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State submitted that the petitioner in connivance with Surender Sharma had been indulging in preparing bogus files for release of electric connections in favour of defaulters. Four blank attested affidavits were recovered from their Criminal Misc.-M No. 24903 of 2011 [2] possession, which were to be used for release of electric connections. There are total 33 prosecution witnesses cited. Challan has been presented on 18.10.2011. Even the charges are yet to be framed. After hearing learned counsel for the parties and considering the fact that the petitioner is in custody since 22.7.2011; even the charges have not been framed till date; there are total 33 prosecution witnesses; the case is triable by a Magistrate; the trial may take some time and the co- accused has already been released on bail, in my opinion, the petitioner also deserves concession of bail pending trial. He is directed to be released on furnishing of bail bonds to the satisfaction of Chief Judicial Magistrate/Duty Magistrate, Ambala. The petition stands disposed of. (Rajesh Bindal) Judge 31.10.2011 mk