The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday granted bail to the former Punjab health minister Dr Vijay Singla in a corruption case[Vijay Singla v. State of Punjab]..Single-Judge Justice Lisa Gill allowed the bail plea of the former minister, who was sacked following allegations of corruption.Advocate General of Punjab Anmol Rattan Sidhu, appearing for the State, submitted that the investigation in the case was complete and Singla has not objected to the prosecution’s request to take his voice samples and has thoroughly cooperated in the investigation. Considering these submissions of the State, the High Court allowed the bail plea."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 the petitioner incarcerated any longer. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case but without commenting upon or expressing any opinion on the merits thereof, this petition is allowed," the Court observed..Singla is accused of demanding “one per cent commission” in tenders and purchases by his department. He was arrested by the Mohali Police under Sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act on May 24.The former health minister’s bail plea was earlier dismissed by a special court in Mohali in the instant corruption case, following which he had filed a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court for regular bail.While rejecting the bail plea of Singla, the Special Court had observed that if responsible people like a former state minister had indulged in corrupt practices, it would send a very wrong signal to society."This Court is of the considered view that if the responsible persons of the society such as the petitioner, who was the then Health Minister, have allegedly indulged into such corrupt practices as per the allegations levelled against him in the present case, it should send a very wrong signal in the society as it is having a depraved effect upon the minds of the common people, which loose faith in the system," Judge Parminder Singh Grewal of Special Court had observed..[Read Order]
