128 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-26365-2025 (O&M) Date of decision: 15.05.2025 Geetika Mehra ....Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR Present: Ms. Kriti Avasthi, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Subhash Godara, Addl.A.G., Punjab. HARPREET SINGH BRAR, J. (ORAL) 1. The present petition has been filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for setting aside of impugned order dated 29.07.2024 (Annexure P-5) vide which the petitioner has been declared as proclaimed person. 2. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner inter alia contends that the petitioner was on interim bail and joined investigation. Thereafter, the challan was presented by the State before the learned trial Court but the petitioner was not aware about the proceedings and thus, could not appear before the learned trial Court on 29.07.2024 (Annexure P-5) and on account of her non-appearance, the trial Court declared the petitioner as proclaimed person. Aggrieved by the said impugned order dated 29.07.2024 (Annexure P- 5) , the petitioner has approached this Court by way of instant petition. 3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the non- bailable warrants issued to the petitioner were never served and, therefore, the finding of the trial Court that the petitioner is intentionally evading her arrest, is Neha 2025.05.16 18:17 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-26365-2025 -2- erroneous. Ultimately, vide impugned order dated 29.07.2024 (Annexure P-5) , the petitioner has been declared as proclaimed person. It is contended that the impugned order is liable to be set aside on the ground that the mandate of Section 82 of Cr.P.C. has not been followed in its letter and spirit by the trial Court. 4. It is also submitted that the petitioner undertakes to appear before the trial Court on each and every date. 5. Notice of motion. 6. Mr. Subhash Godara, Addl.A.G., Punjab, who is present in Court, accepts notice for the respondent-State and supports the order passed by the learned trial Court by contending that the petitioner did not put in appearance before the trial Court intentionally and deliberately and, therefore, having left with no other option, proclamation was issued to secure her presence. 7. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record of the case with their able assistance and with the consent of parties, the matter is taken up for final disposal. 8. While the scheme of criminal justice system necessitates curtailment of personal liberty to some extent, it is of the utmost importance that the same is done in line with the procedure established by law to maintain a healthy balance between personal liberty of the individual-accused and interests of the society in promoting law and order. Such procedure must be compatible with Article 21 of the Constitution of India i.e. it must be fair, just and not suffer from the vice of arbitrariness or unreasonableness. 9. A perusal of the impugned order reveals that the trial Court issued proclamation without recording reasons of its belief that the petitioner has Neha 2025.05.16 18:17 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-26365-2025 -3- absconded or is concealing himself. This Court in the judgment passed in Major Singh @ Major Vs. State of Punjab 2023 (3) RCR (Criminal) 406; 2023 (2) Law Herald 1506 has held that the Court is first required to record its satisfaction before issuance of process under Section 82 of Cr.P.C. and non- recording of the satisfaction itself makes such order suffering from incurable illegality. In the judgment passed by this Court in Sonu Vs. State of Haryana 2021 (1) RCR (Crl.) 319, it has been held that the conditions specified in Section 82 (2) Cr.P.C. for the publication of a proclamation against an absconder are mandatory. Any non-compliance therewith cannot be cured as an ‘irregularity’ and renders the proclamation and proceedings subsequent thereto a nullity. 10. The sole purpose of issuance of non-bailable warrants or issuance of proclamation is to secure presence of the accused before the trial Court. The petitioner in the present case has herself come forward and has undertaken to appear before the trial Court on each and every date. 11. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the present petition is allowed. The impugned order dated 29.07.2024 (Annexure P-5) vide which the petitioner was declared as proclaimed person, is hereby set aside. 12. The petitioner is directed to appear before the trial Court within a period of two weeks from today and on her doing so, she shall be admitted to bail on her furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court, along with costs of Rs.10,000/- to be deposited with the All India Pingalwara Charitable Society, Jalandhar Branch, for wasting precious time of Neha 2025.05.16 18:17 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-26365-2025 -4- the Court. 13. The receipt of payment of costs imposed must be presented before the learned trial Court. The learned Court below is directed to grant bail to the petitioner only upon verification of the payment of said costs. 14. However, in case, the petitioner fails to surrender before the learned trial Court within the stipulated time period, the interim protection granted by this Court, shall be deemed to be vacated. (HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE 15.05.2025 Neha Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No Neha 2025.05.16 18:17 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document