IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA Cr. MP (M) No. 884 of 2026 Date of Decision: 15.06.2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afroz ...Petitioner Versus State of Himachal Pradesh …Respondent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coram: The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 . ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Petitioner: Mr. Rakesh Kumar Chaudhary and Mr. Panku Choudhary, Advocates. For the Respondent: Mr. Rajan Kahol & Mr. Vishal Panwar, Additional Advocate Generals with Mr. Ravi Chauhan & Mr. Anish Banshtu, Deputy Advocates General. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sandeep Sharma, J. (Oral) Respondent-State has filed status report and SI Ramesh Chand has come present alongwith the record. 2. Careful perusal of the record/status report reveals that prosecution has already examined 11 witnesses, out of 27 prosecution witnesses, and Court below has fixed the matter on 22nd to 26th July, 2026 for recording the statements of remaining witnesses. Since petitioner herein is habitual offender, coupled with the fact that trial is nearing completion, this Court is not persuaded to consider the prayer made on behalf of the petitioner for grant of bail at this stage. 3. Faced with aforesaid situation, learned counsel representing the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 present petition, with liberty to file afresh at appropriate stage, if required and desired. 4. Having taken note of the fact that bail petitioner is behind the bars for more than seven months, coupled with the fact that Court below has already fixed the dates for recording the statements of remaining prosecution witnesses, this Court hopes and trusts that learned Court below would make all out efforts to conclude the trial expeditiously, preferably on or before 15th August, 2026, failing which, petitioner would be at liberty to approach this Court for grant of bail on the ground of inordinate delay in conclusion of the trial. 5. Mr. Rajan Kahol, learned Additional Advocate General, undertakes to render proper and full assistant to the Court below, enabling it to conclude the trial within stipulated time. Application, if any, for extension of time shall not be appreciated. Otherwise also, it has been already made aware to all Courts on the administrative side that jail appeals as well as cases of under trials are required to be heard and decided on priority basis. Registry of this Court is directed to apprise the learned trial Court with regard to passing of the instant order, enabling it to do the needful within stipulated time. (Sandeep Sharma) Judge June 15, 2026 (shankar)