CRM-M No. 1841 of 2011 **** Sarabjit Singh vs. State of Punjab Present: Mr. SPS Sidhu , Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Gazi Mohammad, DAG, Punjab. **** This is a petition for regular bail filed in case bearing FIR No. 202 dated 13.12.2008, under Sections 302, 201, 120-B, 34 IPC and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, registered at Police Station City Malout, District Muktsar. Learned counsel states that the petitioner has now been in custody for the last more than two years and despite the fact that charge was framed on 30.04.2009, not even a single witness has been examined till today. This fact has been accepted by learned DAG, on instructions from ASI Tarlok Chand. He, however, argues that now the matter is fixed for 16.03.2011 and it would be more appropriate if the case is adjourned after the said date. In normal circumstances this court would have been inclined to accede to this prayer, however, in the present case, as disclosed by learned DAG, as many as 18 witnesses have been cited but for the last 22 months not even a single witness has been examined. Thus, the possibility of the trial being prolonged cannot be ruled out. In the circumstances, without commenting anything on the merits of the case, I am of the opinion that no useful purpose would be served by keeping the present petitioner in custody any longer. Accordingly this petition is allowed. CRM-M No. 1841 of 2011 -2- Learned trial court is directed to release the petitioner on bail on 16.03.2011, the next date fixed before it, to its satisfaction. ( AJAY TEWARI ) JUDGE February 28, 2011 sunita