Chandigarh: The court of justice Fatehdeep Singh of the Punjab and Haryana high court today reserved its judgment in the two cases filed by Sumedh Saini, who has urged for grant of anticipatory bail in FIR registered against him for the illegal abduction, detention, torture and custodial death of Balwant Singh Multani in December 1991 upon addition of section 302 IPC to the case.
Counsel for Sumedh Singh Saini primarily argued that because he was earlier granted bail in the same case when it was adjusted for section 364 IPC (abduction with intent to murder), he should be granted anticipatory bail on addition of section 302 IPC (murder) also as it was the same case.
Balwant Singh Multani (L) | Sumedh Saini (R) [File Photos]
As against that, the prosecution argued that when the accused was granted bail for offense under section 364 IPC, investigation was at its initial stage and there was hardly any evidence collected by the SIT. As of now there was sufficient evidence on record to prove indictment of Sumedh Saini in the custodial death of Balwant Singh Multani.
Further his custodial interrogation was required to find out about the police officials involved in illegal abduction, detention, torture, and disposal of the body of Balwant Singh Multani. Besides antecedents of Sumedh Saini were brought to the notice of the court including the fact that in the earlier triple murder case going on against him in Delhi.
Arguments in the case took place for more than four hours. The petition seeking quashing of the FIR, and or transfer of investigation was also taken up on the issue of its maintainability as ordered by the previous batch.
After hearing the parties, orders in both the cases were reserved.
The matters are to be taken up on Tuesday (September 8) when there is likelihood of the orders in both cases being pronounced.