The decision emphasized the consideration of prolonged custody and the likelihood of a delayed trial in granting bail.

JUDGMENT

Avneesh Jhingan, J. - CRM-40628-2022

1. This is an application for amendment in the Headnote and prayer clause of the petition for adding the offence under Sections 325 and 326 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 therein and the Sections 325 and 326 IPC be read as part of the headnote and prayer clause along with the offences under Sections 323, 324, 427, 148 and 149 of IPC.

For the reasons mentioned in the application, the same is allowed.

MAIN CASE

1. This petition is filed seeking regular bail in FIR No. 154, dated 27th November, 2018, under Sections 323, 324, 379, 427, 148 and 149 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, registered at Police Station Bullowal, District Hoshiarpur.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner claims parity with co-accused Bharjinder Singh @ Pabla Saini who was granted regular bail by this court on 8th December, 2022. He submits that petitioner is in custody since 25th October, 2021.

3. The following order was passed by this Court on 8th December, 2022:-

'The prayer in the present petition under Section 439 Cr.P.C. is for the grant of regular bail in case bearing FIR No.154 dated 27.11.2018 registered under Sections 323, 324, 379, 427, 148 and 149 of the IPC of the IPC, 1860 (Sections 325 and 326 of the IPC added later on) at Police Station Bullowal, District Hoshiarpur.

2. The brief facts of the case are that the statement of Kavin Chaudhary son of Babby Chaudhary was recorded to the effect that on 23.11.2018 his brother Shehzad and cousin brother namely, Abhishek had gone to Bullowal from village Ghorewah for getting their car repaired. Thereafter, he and his father also reached Bullowal in their Creta car bearing No.PB07-BN-1805. At about 08.00 PM, Pardeep Singh @ Deepa son of Parminder Singh armed with a Kirpan, Bobby son of Rachhpal @ Champa armed with a Kirpan, Gagan @ Thiara son of Mintu armed with an iron rod, Ammu armed with a baseball, Bharjinder Singh @ Pabla Saini (petitioner) armed with a dattar, Sheru Gujjar son of Paramjeet armed with a dattar and two unidentified persons came to the spot with dangs. Pardeep Singh @ Deepa raised a lalkara. Thereafter, he gave a Kirpan blow with an intention to kill him but since he (complainant) raised his left hand to save himself, the blow struck his left hand. Two more Kirpan blows were given on the right side of his head. Sheru Gujjar gave a dattar blow with its reverse side on his face and two blows on his forehead and backside of the left ear. Pardeep Singh @ Deepa opened the door of the car, dragged him out and threw him on the ground and while laying down, Bobby gave a Kirpan blow on his left hip and two more Kirpan blows with its reverse side on the wrist of his left hand and elbow. Thereafter, Bharjinder Singh @ Saini Pabla gave three dattar blows with its reverse side which hit him on his left side of the head, elbow of the left arm and bicep of the left arm. Thereafter, Gagan @ Thiara gave three iron rod blows on the bicep of his right arm, wrist of right arm and backside of right ear. Ammu gave him two baseball bat blows on his back and backside of the head and the unknown boys also gave beatings. On raising a noise, these persons gave beatings to his father and brother and broke the glasses of the car. They also carried away cash amount of Rs.1 lakh belonging to his father lying in the car.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the injuries attributed to the petitioner are grievous in nature. However, none of the injured i.e. complainant Kavin Chaudhary, Babby Chaudhary and Abhishek have suffered any permanent disability and in fact are hale and hearty. The petitioner has been in custody since 21.11.2021 and none of the 21 prosecution witnesses have been examined so far. Therefore, the trial of the present case is not likely to be concluded in the near future. Further, the petitioner is a first-time offender with no other case registered against him. He thus, prays that the petitioner ought to be granted the concession of regular bail.

4. On t