CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday granted regular bail to All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) leader Ashok Kumar Balhara in a case related to his alleged involvement in the attack on former Haryana minister Captain Abhimanyu’s residence during February 2016 Jat violence.
He was on interim bail granted by the HC in September 2018.
“Considering the fact that the present petition is pending since 2018 and a period of more than three years has elapsed and the petitioner has not misused the concession of interim bail, this petition is allowed and the interim bail granted to the petitioner vide order dated September 24, 2018 is made absolute subject to the conditions envisaged under Section 438(2) CrPc,” ordered Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan after allowing the plea filed by Balhara.
In his bail plea, Balhara has been arguing that he had no connection with the attack on the then minister’s house. Balhara, who is also an advocate and former law officer of Haryana’s advocate general office, has also been claiming that he has been shown to be involved in the case on the basis of statements given by some planted accused/witnesses. The case was earlier probed by a special investigation team of Haryana Police, which never summoned him in relation to the present incident.
“The case was sent to CBI for political reasons and the agency has not conducted a fair probe,” Balhara had been arguing. According to charge sheet filed by CBI in the case, Balhara is alleged to have incited the agitators to attack the house of Captain Abhimanyu on February19, 2016, and he was allegedly identified by the witnesses at the place of occurrence.
