IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr.MP (M) No.517 of 2026 Date of Decision: 28.04.2026 _______________________________________________________ Vipan Kumar …….Petitioner Versus State of HP … Respondent _______________________________________________________ Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? 1 For the Petitioner : Mr. N.K. Thakur, Senior Advocate with Mr. Karan Veer Singh, Advocate. For the Respondent : Mr. Rajan Kahol & Mr. Vishal Panwar, Additional Advocates General with Mr. Ravi Chauhan & Mr. Anish Banshtu, Deputy Advocates General. ASI Raju Dhiman, PS Kihar, District Chamba, H.P. present in person along with record. _______________________________________________________ Sandeep Sharma, Judge(oral): Respondent/State has filed status report and ASI Raju Dhiman has come present with the record. Record perused and returned. 2. Having carefully perused status report as well as record, this Court finds that trial is nearing completion and learned trial Court has fixed the matter for recording the statements of remaining prosecution witnesses for 02.05.2026, coupled with the fact that bail- petitioner is accused of heinous crime punishable under Sections 376-D, 506 of Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of Protection of 1 Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 Children from Sexual Offences Act, this Court is not persuaded to consider the prayer made on behalf of the petitioner for grant of regular bail. 3. Faced with aforesaid situation, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the present petition with liberty to file afresh, if so required and desired. Ordered accordingly. 4. Having taken note of the fact that the bail-petitioner is behind the bars for approximately two years, learned Court below is directed to conclude the trial expeditiously on or before 30.06.2026, failing which, bail petitioner would be at liberty to approach this Court, for grant of bail. Otherwise also, this Court, on administrative and judicial sides, has been issuing directions to the trial Courts to decide the cases of under-trials on priority basis, so that the freedom of such persons, is not curtailed for an indefinite period. 5. Registry to apprise the learned Court below with regard to passing of instant order, enabling it to do the needful well within stipulated time. (Sandeep Sharma), Judge April 28, 2026 (sunil)