HC dismisses bail plea in Junaid lynching case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today denied regular bail to Naresh Kumar, an accused in Junaid lynching case. “This court, looking to the gravity of the offence, is of the considered view that safe and secure atmosphere ought to be extended to the eye witnesses to be examined, before the request of bail is considered,” Chief Justice Sheel Nagu asserted.

The Bench also gave the accused the liberty to revisit the court after the examination of eyewitnesses. Junaid (15), along with his brother and two cousins, were allegedly attacked on a Mathura-bound train in June 2017 by a mob, which allegedly hurled communal slurs on the victims.

Junaid was stabbed to death. Following the incident, six accused were facing trial in the case. Chief Justice Nagu observed the petitioner was seeking bail in the murder case, where it is alleged that a scuffle took place between the rival groups. Initially, the petitioner was granted interim bail vide order dated October 3, 2018, on certain terms and conditions.

“The trial had been stayed by the Apex Court in SLP (Criminal) on March 19, 2018. The SLP filed by the complainant-victim came to be withdrawn on March 19, 2024. The petitioner, thereafter on April 2, 2024, was directed by the Single Bench of this court to surrender within three days. However, since the petitioner was in Chennai, he could surrender on April 16, 2024,” the court observed.

It also took note of submissions by the Advocate-General and the victim that two of the eyewitnesses were yet to be examined.