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Judgment
J. S. Sekhon, J
Shingara Singh accusedpetitioner has filed this petition for quashment of the trial proceedings pending against him in a case for offence under section 6 (1) of the Punjab Excise Act involving the possession of the bottles of illicit liquor by the accusedpetitioner and his two coaccused Jasbir Singh and Phuman Singh on 31.7.1983. It is contended that the challan was put in Court on 15.12.1983 and the charge was framed on 9.3.1984, but so far there is no progress in the trial except that one witness had been examined after the filing of this petition.
In the return filed by Shri Bira Singh. S.H. O., P. S. Makku, it is averred that Shingara Singh accused absconded during the pendency of the trial for a sufficiently long period. It is further averred that thereafter Phuman Singh accused absconded on 16.8.1990. Then Jasbir Singh coaccused absconded and it was ultimately found that he had since died Thereafter, the case continued to be adjourned the factum of death of Jasbir Singh and dropping the proceedings against him. Phuman Singh coaccused if the petitioner was then reported to be in custody of the police of Amritsar Distt. and production warrants were issued but the Superintendent Nabha Jail failed to produce Phuman Singh and the reminders were still being issued for his production. It is further stated that Shingara Singh also absented himself and was ordered to be summoned through nonbailable warrants for 15.5. 1990.
I have heard the learned counsel for the parties besides perusing the record.
No doubt, it is a case where ordinarily the trial should have been quashed on the ground of delay of six years in disposing of the case after the framing of the charge, yet all the same, the accusedpetitioner and his coaccused contributed towards the delay, no such order is called for at this stage. The trial Court is, however, directed to dispose of the case separating the proceedings against Shingara Singh accusedpetitioner from that of his coaccused Phuman Singh.
A copy of this order be sent to the trial Court for strict compliance.
The petition stands disposed of accordingly.