Punjab & Haryana High Court grants bail to man accused of performing Ardas in Gurudwara for early release of Gurmeet Ram Rahim

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday granted bail to Gurmail Singh, a man accused of performing Ardas (prayer) in a Gurudwara for the early release of the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim who is currently serving a twenty-year sentence in a rape case. (Gurmail Singh vs. State of Punjab).Justice Avneesh Jhingan stated that considering the facts of the case, there appeared to be no useful purpose in depriving the petitioner (Gurmail Singh) of his personal liberty..The petitioner had approached the Court seeking regular bail in an FIR lodged against him under Sections 295-A (outraging religious feelings) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code..The complainant alleged that the petitioner was making praises and praying for the early release of Gurmeet Ram Rahim due to which the religious sentiments of a particular community were hurt..It was also set out in the complaint that there was a video recording of the Ardas that was circulated on social media..An allegation of conspiracy was also leveled against the petitioner and a co-accused, Sukhpal Singh, for acting with the intent of disturbing the peace and harmony in the State of Punjab..The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the investigation against the petitioner was completed, and that the co-accused was granted interim bail by the High Court. Therefore, the benefit of bail should be extended to the petitioner as well, it was urged..The State opposed the bail play, asserting that the allegations against the petitioner were serious in nature. However, the Court allowed the petition..Justice Jhingan reasoned that the investigation was complete, the co-accused has been granted bail, the petitioner had no criminal antecedents, and the evidence was already with the investigating agency..However, the Court clarified that should the petitioner indulge in similar activities upon release, the State could move an application for cancellation of bail..[Read Order]