Punjab Ajnala Violence| 'No Citizen Can Interfere In Administration Of Justice On Strength Of Unholy Mob': High Court Refuses Bail To 2 Amritpal's Alleged Aides

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has rejected the bail pleas of "Waris Punjab De" chief Amritpal Singh's alleged aides in Ajnala Police Station Attack case.

In February, Amritpal, along with a mob, allegedly attacked a police station in Punjab's Ajnala, in an attempt to forcibly release his alleged aide from judicial custody.

While rejecting the relief of bail, Justice Kuldeep Tiwari said, "On the strength of an unholy mob, no citizen of this country can be allowed to either interfere in the administration of justice, or, to cause injury(ies) to public authority(ies), while them being discharging their public duty(es). At this stage, this Court refrains from evincing any opinion as regards the veracity of the allegations, and/or, evidentiary worth of the evidence collected by the investigating agency, leaving the same to be appreciated by the trial Court, at an appropriate stage."

These observations were made while hearing the bail applications of one Bhupinder Singh and Ajaypal Singh who allegedly upon his being informed by the main accused Amritpal Singh about his plan to encircle the Police Station Ajnala, arranged weapons to be used in the incident. It was alleged that a mob led by Amritpal Singh, including the present petitioners, broke the barricading of the police and also inflicted injuries to police personnel with weapons.

The petitioners are booked under Sections 307, 353, 186, 332, 333, 506, 120-B, 427, 148, 149 of the IPC, registered at Police Station Ajnala, District Amritsar Rural.

Counsel appearing for the petitioners argued that they have been falsely implicated in the instant case, as neither they have been named in the FIR, nor in the statements recorded under Section 161 CrPC.

Considering the submissions, the Court noted that on the fateful day, the mob practically captured the Police Station Ajnala for a period of about 4 hours, in addition to having inflicted serious and near-fatal injuries to several police officersl including head injury to a SP rank officer.

The bench further noted that a massive operation was conducted by Punjab Police, under the directions and guidance of the State Government as well as the Central Government, whereupon, the main accused Amritpal Singh, who is co-accused in the instant FIR, was arrested.

Perusing the reply, the bench said there are categoric allegations against the petitioners that they along with co-accused "broke the barricading of the police and also inflicted injuries to police personnel with weapons."

Justice Tiwari also rejected the plea of alibi raised by the petitioners, "the same cannot be appreciated at this stage, as during the course of investigation, the culpability of the petitioner got further strengthened through his identification being established by various police officials."

The Court also recalled that the bail pleas of other co-accused persons have also been rejected, wherein it was observed that," the incident has shocked the conscience of the entire nation."

Considering the gravity of the offences, the Court opined, "this Court is not inclined to release the petitioner on regular bail, merely because he has suffered incarceration of eight months. Consequently, the instant petition is dismissed."

Appearance: Advocate Imaan Singh Khara for the petitioners.

Monika Jalota, Sr. DAG for Punjab.

Case Title: Bhupinder Singh @ Sheru v. State of Punjab

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (PH) 292

Ajay Pal v. State of Punjab

Click here to read/download the order.