Sushil Kumar vs State Of Rajasthan

Vijay Bishnoi, J

Heard.

This is the third bail application preferred on behalf of the petitioner with a prayer for releasing him on bail.

As per the charge-sheet, the petitioner, while working as Manager of the Axis Bank, Dhanmandi, Sangariya, District Hanumangarh, hatched a conspiracy with the other co-accused persons, on the basis of which, the co-accused persons committed the offence of robbery in the bank, where the petitioner was working as Manager and looted around rupees one crore.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is in custody since 21.10.2020 and out of total 26 prosecution witnesses, only 5 witnesses have been examined till date. It is also submitted that the co-accused persons, who committed the robbery, have already been enlarged on bail. Learned counsel has further submitted that there is no evidence\ available on record which suggests that the petitioner was connected with the co-accused persons, who allegedly committed bank robbery. It is, therefore, prayed that the petitioner may be enlarged on bail.

Per contra, learned Public prosecutor has opposed the bail application and argued that the petitioner, while working as Manager in the bank, hatched a conspiracy with the other co-accused persons, which resulted into bank robbery, wherein rupees one crore has been looted. It is further argued that while working as a Manager of a bank, if the petitioner has conspired to commit offence of robbery in the same bank, he is not entitled to be enlarged on bail on the basis of his conduct.

Heard and perused the charge-sheet.

The police, while conducting investigation, has collected evidence to prove the charges against the petitioner of this effect that he hatched a conspiracy with the other co-accused persons to commit robbery in the bank, where he was working as a bank Manager. If Manager of a bank, whose duty is to supervise the affairs of the bank, where the public money is being deposited, is involved in commission of crime of robbery in the same bank, it is a serious crime which may erode the faith of the public at large in banking system.

Taking into consideration the overall facts and circumstances of the case, I am not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail.

Hence, this bail application is dismissed.

However, the trial court is expected to expedite the trial.