HC orders bailable warrants against developer, raps police

Saurabh Malik

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 18

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued bailable warrants against Jarnail Singh Bajwa, a prominent developer and chairman of Bajwa Developers Ltd, after his failure to appear before the court, despite specific orders.

Justice Sandeep Moudgil also rapped the law enforcing agency for its conduct in the matter, after observing that, “A so-called high profile and well-known developer was at large after duping hundreds of people within the state or at least the Mohali district.”

Justice Moudgil further asked Punjab Director-General of Police (DGP) to file an affidavit, explaining the inaction by his officers in the matter. The order was directed to be forwarded to the state police chief and the home secretary.

Justice Moudgil asserted: “The DGP is also directed to file an affidavit explaining the conduct of his officers posted to conduct investigation in an FIR and the reasons as to what steps have been taken, who probably can be prima-facie hand in glove, enabling the respondent to wander free without any fear showing disrespect to not only to the orders of the court but to the law of the land.”

The directions came on a petition filed by Kuldeepak Mittal against the State of Punjab and other respondents.

Among other things, the petitioner contended the bail granted to Jarnail Singh was cancelled by the high court vide order dated October 20, 2023. But action to arrest him had so far not been initiated.

His counsel contended the reasons behind inaction on the part of official respondents, particularly Mohali SSP and SHO of Kharar police station, was that Jarnail Singh was a well known developer.

Justice Moudgil took note of a status report stating that Bajwa and other respondents were not residing at the address given in the petition. The Bench asserted it was keen to observe that the affidavit was nothing but an attempted eyewash almost displaying the law enforcing agency’s handicap to take action and effective steps in an FIR registered after cancellation of bail.

Justice Moudgil asserted: “The conduct of respondent is writ large on the face, who is deliberately evading the appearance before this court. Accordingly, this court is now left with no other option and has no reason to believe that there is any kind of bona fide or any unintentional absence of the respondent before this court, despite specific directions issued on various dates”.

• Justice Sandeep Moudgil observed that, “A so-called high profile and well-known developer was at large after duping hundreds of people within the state or at least the Mohali district.”
• Justice Moudgil further asked Punjab DGP to file an affidavit, explaining the inaction by his officers in the matter. The order was directed to be forwarded to the state police chief and the Home Secretary