Cr.Misc. NO.M 19567 of 2008 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Cr.Misc. NO.M 19567 of 2008 DATE OF DECISION 18.3.2009 Mangat Ram ......PETITIONER VERSUS U.T.Chandigarh ......RESPONDENTS PRESENT: Mr. Vikram Chaudhri, Advocate Mr. Preet Pal Singh, Addl.P.P. For UT M.M.S.BEDI,J. The petitioner has been in custody since 15.4.2008 in a case registered against him on the allegation that in the capacity as a Head Cashier in the Electricity Department he prepared forged challan receipts and vouchers. It is alleged that the petitioner himself used to go to deposit the amount in the bank and make entries in the register himself but as a matter of fact he used to embezzle the amount and did not deposit the amount in the State Bank of India, Treasury Branch, Sector 17,Chandigarh. There are serious allegations of embezzlement of huge amount during the period from 2005 to 2007. The petitioner is admittedly a heart patient suffering from other ailments like diabetes and hypertension as is apparent from the medical record produced. He had been hospitalized during his detention in the jail. He can be granted the concession of bail on medical grounds. Charge in his case was framed on 25.11.2008. The trial is not likely to be concluded in near future. There are 14 witnesses cited by the prosecution in the challan. Learned counsel for UT has opposed the petition for bail Cr.Misc. NO.M 19567 of 2008 2 contending that there are chances of tampering with the evidence. After hearing learned counsel for the parties, the petition is allowed and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his furnishing personal bond for a sum of Rs.5.00 lacs with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court subject to the condition that he will not leave India without the prior permission of the court and would surrender his passport before the trial court. In case he claims that he does not possess any passport, an affidavit to that affect will be filed at the time of his release. March 18 ,2009 ( M.M.S.BEDI ) TSM JUDGE