Dismissing the anticipatory bail filed by Baba Pritpal Singh, head of Gursagar Sahib Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee, the Punjab and Haryana High Court said his conduct contradicted the claims of innocence and holiness he had made, and granting him a bail would amount to negating the criminal justice.

In a strongly-worded judgement running into 17 pages, Justice Mahesh Grover said: “Singh has remained elusive throughout the investigation. Facts reveal a web of deceit in which not only the complainant but presumably other persons also have been defrauded. It is essential that such accused be subjected to intense interrogation to unravel the truth and extent of fraud.”

A similar case of fraud has been registered in Dera Bassi against Baba Pritpal Singh.

The court categorically held that in such serious cases, anticipatory bail cannot be granted. “ He continues to be evasive despite intensive efforts of the investigating agency and has not even filed an affidavit in support of the petition, which (affidavit) has been filed by his wife,” reads the judgment.

The HC also took note of the statement made by senior standing counsel for UT Administration, Advocate Anupam Gupta that Singh enjoyed a considerable clout in the Chandigarh Police, which is investigating the case.

“The counsel has candidly admitted that Singh enjoys considerable clout and police officers may possibly be under his influence. His case does not even remotely come near the grant of anticipatory bail,” the judgment held.

Justice Grover had also flayed the inability of Chandigarh Police in arresting Baba Pritpal Singh nearly one-and-a-half-year ago after a criminal case of cheating and fraud was registered against him. Terming the investigation carried out by Chandigarh Police as “telegraphic”, Justice Grover had given “one last opportunity” to the investigating agency to arrest Singh.

... contd.