The absence of direct evidence against the applicant and the completion of the investigation justified the grant of bail, emphasizing the principle of parity with co-accused.

JUDGMENT :

(Virender Singh, J.)

Applicant-Ram Karan, has filed the present application, under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita , 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the ' BNS S '), with a prayer to release him on bail, during the pendency of trial, in case FIR No.207 of 2024, dated 25.08.2024, registered, under Sections 103 , 127(2) , 125(b) , 61(2) , 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘ BNS ’), with Police Station Baddi, District Solan, H.P.

2. According to the applicant, he is innocent person and has falsely been implicated and arrested, in the present case.

3. The applicant has termed the entire case of the prosecution as false and frivolous, as there is nothing on the record to connect the applicant with the alleged crime.

4. It is the further case of the applicant that the prosecution could not collect any evidence to connect him with the alleged offence.

5. According to the applicant, he is a young man of 23 years and in case, he is kept in the judicial custody, it would adversely affect his future.

6. As per the applicant, investigation, in the present case is complete and nothing is to be recovered from the applicant or at his instance.

7. The applicant has sought the relief of bail on the ground of parity as his co-accused Ajay Kumar, has already been released, on bail, by this Court, vide order dated 01.04.2025, passed in Cr.MP(M) No.652 of 2025.

8. The applicant has also tried his luck, by moving similar application, bearing Bail Application No.236 of 2024, before the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Nalagarh, however, the same was dismissed on 09.12.2024.

9. On the basis of the above facts, a prayer has been made to allow the application.

10. When put to notice, the police has filed the status report disclosing therein, on 25.08.2024, HC Amarjeet Singh No.48, I.O., had given the information qua the fact that he noticed two persons; one was lying in injured condition and the other was lying unconscious, at a place known as Sandoli Khawadian and he was taking both the persons to CHC Baddi for treatment.

10.1. Thereafter, Inspector/SHO, along with other police official, reached at CHC Baddi, where the two persons were taken by the I.O. Injured Lakshmi Kant was declared as fit to make statement, and was referred to PGI Chandigarh for further treatment, whereas, the other person namely Rahul Rai, was declared dead.

10.2. Statement of the complainant was recorded under Section 173 BNSS , wherein, he had disclosed that he is resident of village Pawa, Tehsil Bustabad, District Unnav, UP and is residing in a rented accommodation at Panchkula, along with three other persons. Rahul is his friend.

10.3. On 25.08.2024, all the four persons had boarded a bus and at about 3.30 p.m., they reached Baddi, where the companion of Rahul had gone to purchase Ganja. When Rahul was purchasing Ganja, then a scuffle took place with the person, who had allegedly sold Ganja to them, as Rahul had not paid the amount to him. The other party was from the locality, as such, they came there along with Dandas in their hands and all the four persons were beaten by them.

10.4. According to the complainant, the assailants were not known to him, however, he could identify them, if produced before him. They all were stated to be of 22-27 years of age.

10.5. Thereafter, the police registered the FIR, in question and criminal machinery swung into motion.

11. During investigation, the spot was visited by the team of expert of FSL. Dead body of Rahul Rai was sent for postmortem examination to IGMC. After postmortem, the dead body was handed over to the relatives for performing the last rites.

12. As per the further investigation, involvement of accused Chetan Singh, Ram Karan (applicant) and Karan Kumar @ Soni was found. All the three were inquired and were arrested on 26.08.2024 at 7.35 p.m. Since, complainant Lakshmi Kant had got recorded, in his statement, that the assailants were not known to him, as s