Crl.Misc. No.M-15068 of 2011 (O&M) IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: July 29, 2011. Crl.Misc. No.M-15068 of 2011 (O&M). Avtar Singh .. Petitioner VERSUS State of Punjab. .. Respondent * * * CORAM: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.M.S.BEDI * * * PRESENT Mr.P.S.Sekhon, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr.Arshvinder Singh, Addl. A.G., Punjab. * * * M.M.S.BEDI, J (ORAL). The petitioner seeks the concession of pre-arrest bail in a case registered at the instance of Assistant Engineer, Punjab State Electricity Board, alleging that the petitioner was found stealing electricity by tampering with ME seals of electricity meter. A notice dated 15.07.2009, was issued to the petitioner calling upon him to pay a fine of ` 2,01,648/- besides compounding fee of ` 45,000/-. Since the petitioner has joined the investigation and has expressed his desire to deposit the amount due, without expression of any opinion on merits of the case, the petition is allowed and it is . . . 1 Crl.Misc. No.M-15068 of 2011 (O&M) ordered that the petitioner will be released on bail on his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the arresting officer subject to the following conditions: - (i) that the petitioner will deposit a sum of ` 1 lac with the office of Assistant Engineer, Sub Division (Rural), Malerkotla within a period of 7 days and will produce a copy of the receipt before the Investigating Officer by appearing before the Investigating Officer on 20.08.2011 at 11 O'clock. In case of petitioner doing so, he shall be released on bail to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer. It is made clear that the amount deposited will be without prejudice to the rights of the petitioner to get the same adjusted and the deposit is subject to any dispute between the Electricity Board and the petitioner and would be adjustable. The deposit is without prejudice to the legal rights of the petitioner and will not be considered to be an admission by conduct for any purpose; (ii) that the petitioner will not tamper with the evidence or hamper the investigation in any manner; (iii) that the petitioner will join the investigation, as required by the police; and (iv) that the petitioner will not commit the similar offence of which he is accused of during the pendency of trial. It is made clear that in case of violation of any of . . . 2 Crl.Misc. No.M-15068 of 2011 (O&M) the above conditions, this petition will be deemed to have been dismissed. It will also be open to the complainant or the prosecution agency to seek cancellation of the order. (M.M.S.BEDI) JUDGE July 29, 2011. rka . . . 3