( 1 ) THE petitioner is an accused in FIR No. 226/98 registered under Sections 420/406/409/120-B Indian Penal Code. It is not disputed that the petitioner is in custody for more than 26 months (since 6th May, 1998 ).

( 2 ) BRIEF facts which are necessary to dispose of this petition are recapitulated as under:

( 3 ) A complaint was Filed by Major General Ranjit Singh (complainant) with the police station Prasad Nagar, Delhi. In the complaint, it is alleged by the complainant that he was enticed by the Directors and officials of the Hoffland Gorup of Companies to deposit the money. It is also alleged that after maturity of deposits, repayments have not been made despite persistent demands, though he was given categoric assurance that the money would be refunded after the maturity of deposits. It is also alleged that like the complainant hundreds of other investors had deposited their life time savings with the Hoffland Group of Companies. In most cases neither the principal nor the interest amount has been refunded despite all kind of assurances. A number of FIRs have been lodged against the petitioner, against B. B. Sharma (Chairman and Managing Director) and others a