2025 INSC 49
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
DIVISION BENCH
MAMTA KAUR
Vs.
STATE OF PUNJAB
( Before : Bela M. Trivedi and Prasanna B. Varale, JJ. )
Criminal Appeal No….of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(Criminal) No. 14647/2024)
Decided on : 09-01-2025
Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) — Section 306 —Abetment of Suicide — The appellant sought anticipatory bail after the High Court rejected her plea — The State of Punjab acknowledged her participation in the investigation and stated no further custodial interrogation was needed — The Supreme Court granted her anticipatory bail, considering the State of Punjab’s submission that she cooperated with the investigation — The decision was based on the recognition that custodial interrogation was no longer necessary and that anticipatory bail would be appropriate — The Supreme Court concluded that appellant should be granted anticipatory bail, subject to any conditions imposed by the Trial Court — The State would retain the right to seek bail cancellation if conditions were violated.
JUDGMENT
1. Leave granted.
2. The present appeal is directed against the impugned judgment and order dated 17.04.2023, passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in CRM-M-No. 17439 of 2023, whereby the High Court had rejected the said petition filed by the present appellant seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the case FIR No. 13 dated 14.02.2023, registered at Police Station-Gharinda, District-Amritsar for the offence punishable under Section-306 of the Indian Penal Code.
3. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material on record.
4. It is fairly submitted by the learned counsel appearing for the respondent-State of Punjab that pursuant to the Order passed by this Court on 21.10.2024, the appellant has joined the investigation as and when called upon to do so and that she has received a letter from the Investigating Officer stating therein that no more custodial interrogation of the appellant is required in the case.
5. In view of the above, we are inclined to accept the present appeal.
6. Hence, it is directed that in the event of the arrest of the appellant, in connection with the case FIR No. 13 dated 14.02.2023, registered at Police Station-Gharinda, District-Amritsar, she shall be released on bail, if not required in any other case, on such terms and conditions that may be imposed or deem fit by the Trial Court.
7. It goes without saying that the responden-State shall be at liberty to file appropriate application seeking cancellation of bail in case any of the conditions, that may be imposed by the Trial Court, are violated or breached by the appellant.
8. Accordingly, the appeal is allowed.
9. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand closed.