(Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria, JJ.)
Pardeep Kumar __________________________________ Petitioner;
v.
State of Punjab ________________________________ Respondent.
Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 4503 of 2026§, decided on March 16, 2026
The Order of the court was delivered by
Order
1. The petitioner was arrested on 02.08.2018 and thereafter, he was released on interim bail till the FSL report was presented in the Court. After the FSL report was submitted in the Court in January, 2025, the interim bail granted to the petitioner was cancelled and non-bailable warrant was issued against him. Thereafter, the petitioner has moved an anticipatory bail application, which was dismissed by the Trial Court, and the High Court as well, under the impugned order.
2. In our considered view, once the petitioner was arrested and released on interim bail, technically, he is in custody of the Court and immediately, after rejection of his interim bail application, petitioner should have surrendered before the concerned Police or in Court.
3. At this point in time, the petitioner is not entitled to maintain an application for anticipatory bail because his non-surrender and consequent absconding dis-entitles him from applying for anticipatory bail, after once being arrested.
4. Accordingly, the Special Leave Petition is dismissed.
5. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
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§ 2026 INSC 259
