The delay in mentioning the petitioner's name, the prosecutrix's inconsistent statements, and the prolonged trial without the prosecutrix appearing influenced the court's decision to grant regular bail to the petitioner.

JUDGMENT

Rajesh Bhardwaj, J. (Oral) - Prayer in the present petition is for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.157 dated 29.05.2020, under Section 363, 376D, 342, 506 and 34 of IPC, registered at Police Station Nangal Chaudhary, District Mohindergarh.

2. As per the factual matrix of the present case, the present FIR was lodged by husband of the prosecutrix wherein, it was alleged that his wife aged 35 years having two kids, went to PNB Bank Nizampur Branch on 22nd May, 2020 to withdraw some money but she did not return. He searched enough but could not find her. It was further mentioned that the marriage was solemnized 12 years ago and his wife be searched.

3. Thereafter, investigation commenced and the prosecutrix was recovered from the custody of the petitioner on 4th June, 2020.The petitioner was arrested on 21.12.2020. He approached Ld. Additional Sessions Judge Narnaul for the grant of bail who after hearing both the parties decided the same vide order dated 12.01.2022.

4. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has approached this Court by way of filing the present petition.

5. Learned counsel for the petitioner has drawn the attention of this Court to the statement of the prosecutrix recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. wherin, she stated that she went with some known person with her own free will. It was further stated that nobody has committed any wrong act or teased her. The custody of the prosecutrix was taken by her brother Rajinder. Therafter, he submits that the statement of the prosecutrix was recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C on 6th June, 2020 which is annexed with the petition as Annexure P-3. In statement under Section 164 Cr.P.C, she admitted that she was known to Sumer Singh and on 22nd May, 2020 at about 09:00 am, she went to railway station and met Sumer Singh who offered to drop her at her house which she accepted. She further stated that two more persons were there in the vehicle. She was thereafter, taken to one room and Sumer Singh committed wrong act with her several times. On 4th June, 2020, the police came and rescued her and her medical was conducted. Learned counsel further contends that hereinafter, again supplementary statement of the prosecutrix was recorded on 15th June, 2020 wherein, for the first time, the name of the petitioner was mentioned by the prosecutrix. He submits that the main allegations since begining are against the coaccused Sumer Singh and there was not even a whisper regarding the present petitioner. He submits that the prosecutrix is a woman of the age of majority and can never be imagined to have been pressurized or forced by the petitioner as alleged. He further submits that at every stage, the prosecutrix has changed herstatement and finally in the statement recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C, the name of the petitioner was mentioned for the first time after due deliberations. Learned counsel submits that now the trial is going on and the trial Court has issued the summons to the prosecutrix for recording her evidence. However, despite issuing summons twice, the prosecutrix is not turning up before the trial Court as she was not found available at the given address. He submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the FIR and overall conduct of the prosecutrix shows that the trial is being prolonged to keep the petitioner behind bars. He submits that the petitioner deserves to be enlarged on bail.

6. On the other hand, learned State counsel vehemently opposses the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioner However, he candidly acknowledges that the summons are being issued to the prosecutrix for her examination before the trial Court. However, she is not appearing before the trial Court till date. He submits that in all, there are 19 witnesses and no one has been examined till date.

7. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the records.

8. Petitioner is behind the bars since 21st December, 2020. The alleged occurrence too