In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh Criminal Misc. No.M-23602 of 2010(O&M) Date of decision: 21.9.2010 Ajay Puri and others ......Petitioners Versus State of Punjab .......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE SABINA Present: Mr.Amit Jhanji, Advocate, for the petitioners. Mr.Amandeep Singh Rai, AAG, Punjab. Mr.Surinder Sharma, Advocate, for the complainant. **** SABINA, J. This petition has been filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR No. 125 dated 12.6.2010, under Sections 406, 498-A/323 of the Indian Penal Code at Police Station Division No.8, Jalandhar. While issuing notice of motion, the following order was passed by this Court on 17.8.2010:- “ Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that the dowry articles in question were returned in July, 2008 in view of the compromise (Annexure P-2) between the parties.. Notice of motion for 21.9.2010. In the meantime, in the event of arrest, the Criminal Misc. No.M-23602 of 2010(O&M) -2- petitioners be admitted to interim bail subject to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. They shall abide by the conditions envisaged under Section 438 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.” Learned State counsel, who is assisted by ASI Baljinder Singh Bajwa, has submitted that the petitioners have joined investigation in terms of the order reproduced above. Learned counsel for the complainant, on the other hand, has disputed the factum of compromise (Annexure P-2) between the parties, whereas, learned State counsel, on instructions from ASI Baljinder Singh Bajwa, has submitted that in terms of the compromise effected in a panchayat, the dowry articles had been returned to the complainant party. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the present case, it would be just and expedient to confirm the interim bail granted to the petitioners. The fact that whether the petitioners are guilty of the alleged offence or not would more appropriately be gone into and considered during trial. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this petition is allowed and the order granting interim bail dated 17.8.2010 is made absolute. (SABINA) JUDGE September 21, 2010 anita