The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday granted regular bail to Punjab’s former Health Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dr Vijay Singla in a corruption matter observing that there were no allegations that he was likely to abscond or influence the witnesses.
The bench of Justice Lisa Gill, in its five-page order, stated, “There is no allegation that petitioner is likely to abscond or influence witnesses. Trial is not likely to conclude in the near future. No useful purpose would be served by keeping him incarcerated any longer.”
Justice Gill also directed that Dr Singla will not “directly or indirectly” try to contact or influence the complainant or witnesses in any manner; and “any such infraction may lead to cancellation of this concession”.
After hearing counsels for both parties, Justice Gill observed that mobile phone of the petitioner as well as co-accused is stated to have been taken in possession. “No other recovery is stated to have been effected from the petitioner and no other recovery is claimed from the petitioner. There is indeed no reference to any other evidence on record except the said conversation/s in support of the allegations against the petitioner,” added the Bench.
Justice Gill also took on record Punjab Advocate-General Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu’s statement that the investigation in the matter was complete, subject to the District Attorney’s approval. It was also verified that the petitioner was not involved in any other criminal case and had not protested or objected to give voice samples as asked for by the prosecution.
In the petition, Dr Singla had submitted that he was arraigned as an accused in the FIR because his political opponents wanted to tarnish his image.
Dr Singla had submitted that the present FIR was lodged on the statement of Rajinder Singh, a superintending engineer on deputation in the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. As per the complainant, he recorded the conversation with the petitioner in a secret concealed device and then transferred the same to his phone. In such circumstances, the veracity and authenticity of the alleged conversation was not verified by the investigating agency before registering the present FIR.
Notably, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had sacked the dentist-turned-politician Singla from his Cabinet while declaring that the decision was made after he came to know that his Minister was demanding one per cent commission in tenders and purchases of the Health Department.
Mann had ordered the registration of an FIR against Dr Singla after which he was arrested on May 24.
Earlier, a court in Mohali had rejected Dr Singla's bail plea after which he had approached the High Court.
Fifty-two years old dental surgeon Dr Vijay Singla was elected as an MLA from the Mansa seat. He had defeated Punjabi singer and Congress candidate Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala.