Sirsa judge’s response sought on extension of bail granted by HC

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought explanation from Sirsa Additional District and Sessions Judge on how interim bail granted by it in a pending matter was extended by the trial court.

Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi fixed the case for November first week.

As a plea filed by Jagpal Singh came up for resumed hearing, Justice Sethi noticed that the HC vide order dated January 14 granted interim bail to the petitioner till May 13. It made it clear that orders on his prayer for regular bail would be passed on May 17 after considering his conduct and progress in the trial, subject to his surrender by May 13.

Justice Sethi also took note of the state counsel’s contentions that the petitioner did not surrender on May 13 as directed by the HC. But he filed a plea before the trial court for extending his interim bail.

The state counsel submitted that the petitioner had been getting extensions from the trial court. In the last order passed on September 24, the Additional Sessions Judge extended the interim bail up to October 13. Justice Sethi observed it was not clear from the facts as to how the interim bail granted by the HC was extended by the trial court on the petitioner’s plea.

He didn’t appear before the HC on the dates fixed. Rather, he filed a plea before the trial court, seeking the extension of interim bail granted by the HC, which was “shocking”.

Justice Sethi added: “Before any order is passed by this court, let the Additional Sessions Judge, Sirsa, who extended the interim bail to the petitioner, explain as to how the interim bail granted by the HC was extended especially when the petition was pending. Also, the petitioner was required to surrender on May 13, which direction was not complied with.”

He directed the petitioner to surrender before the jail authorities, failing which the latter were told to secure his custody by following the due procedure under law. — TNS