Judgment:
S.S. Nijjar, J.
1. On a specific query put by this Court, Mr. Baljit Singh, D.S.P., Investigating Officer, who is present in Court, has stated that no further material is to be recovered or elicited from the petitioner at this stage. Mr. Hooda, learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner has made strong reliance on the report submitted by the Di-rector, Horticulture Department, in which it is categorically stated that if the packets of bio- fertiliser are available in Regional Bio-fertiliser, Hisar, even then these can be purchased from any private firm. Thereafter, the Director has given complete justification for making the purchase from the firm which is stated to have been favoured. Apart from this, although the allegations in the FIR are that there has been an embezzlement in the sum of Rs. 35 lacs, but on mathematical calculation, it appears that only a sum of Rs. 3,50,000/- has been embezzled. However, it is not necessary to go into the merits of submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner. The Investigating Officer is present in Court who has already stated that nothing is to be recovered or elicited from the petitioner, at this stage.
In view of the above, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody any further. He is in custody since 17.10.2000. In my view, the respondents have had sufficient time to recover or elicit anything from the petitioner. Even without the statement having been made by the investigating Officer, I am of the considered opinion that it is a fit case for grant of bail.
In view of the above, petitioner is allowed bait to the satisfaction of the C.J.M., Panipat.
Copy dasti under the signatures of the Special Secretary of this Court.
2. Petition allowed.