CRM No.M-16098 of 2009 - 1 – HIGH COURT PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM No.M-16098 of 2009 Date of Decision: 31.07.2009 Manjit Singh @ Ladi ….Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ….Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH BINDAL **** Present: Mr. Harchand Singh Batth, Advocate for the petitioner Mr. Anter Singh Brar, Senior DAG, Punjab **** RAJESH BINDAL J (ORAL) Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in the FIR regarding the murder of Parminder Singh @ Sonu got registered by his father, it was mentioned that some unidentified persons have killed him. Subsequently, name of the petitioner was added as an accused on the statement of Hira Singh as he stated that petitioner had confessed before him regarding the murder of Parminder Singh. In his statement, it was also mentioned that lastly the deceased was seen with the petitioner. Hira Singh, the so-called witness before whom the petitioner had made extra- judicial confession has been given up by the prosecution. Learned counsel for the petitioner further referred to the order passed by the learned Court below rejecting the bail application wherein it was mentioned that the statement of Hira Singh is yet to be recorded. Though the order was passed on May 30, 2009 but prior thereto on April 28, 2009, Hira Singh has been given up by the prosecution. The submission is that besides this there is in fact no evidence with the prosecution. Learned counsel for the State objected to the grant of bail to the petitioner stating that it is a case of murder. The petitioner has been arrayed as an accused on the basis of evidence collected during CRM No.M-16098 of 2009 - 2 – investigation. He has not undergone custody even for a year. The case is still at the stage of prosecution evidence. After hearing learned counsel for both the parties and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the controversy, in my opinion, the petitioner deserves to be released on bail pending trial, as conclusion thereof is likely to take some time. Let the petitioner be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of CJM/Duty Magistrate, Tarn Taran. The petition stands disposed of. (RAJESH BINDAL) JUDGE 31.07.2009 shonkar