Disposed

Raja v. the State NCT of Delhi

Delhi HC17 Apr 2026BAIL APPLN./1023/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Regular bail sought in a murder case where the applicant had been in custody over three years; the complainant turned hostile and another material witness was absent despite opportunities. Counsel did not press the application, seeking only time-bound directions.

What did the court decide?

Application not pressed; time-bound directions to Trial Court to complete recording of witness testimony within three months and dispose of trial within six months; liberty to file afresh; jail safety

Raja Vs the State NCT of Delhi — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Delhi HC (2026)

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$~10

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

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- BAIL APPLN. 1023/2026

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RAJA .....Petitioner

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Through: Mr. Amit Garg, Mr. Maitreya, Mr. Ravinder Singh Rawat and Mr. Yogesh Kumar, Advocates

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versus

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THE STATE NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent Through: Mr. Naresh Kumar Chahar, APP for State Insp. Rahul Kumar, Traffic Line Todapur and SI Sumit, PS Subzi Mandi

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN

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% 17.04.2026

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CRL.M.A. 7805/2026 (for exemption)

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Exemption allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

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BAIL APPLN. 1023/2026

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Applicant seeks regular bail in case FIR No. 63/2023 dated 30.01.2023 registered at Police Station Subzi Mandi, Delhi for commission of offence under Section 302/34 IPC.

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Applicant is in custody since 01.02.2023. There are 26 cited witnesses and prosecution has already examined 19 witnesses whereas two other have been dropped.

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According to learned counsel for applicant, one material witness i.e. complainant has not supported the case of prosecution while one another

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BAIL APPLN. 1023/2026 1

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/04/2026 at 14:29:36

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material witness was examined in part way back in the year 2023 and, thereafter, he is not appearing before the learned Trial Court despite the fact that learned Trial Court has already given sufficient opportunities in this regard.

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Learned Addl. P.P. for State admits that there is some issue with respect to the availability of the aforesaid witness and the next date in the aforesaid trial is now 28^th instant and every effort would be made by the concerned SHO/IO to trace the aforesaid witness and to produce him before the learned Trial Court.

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Learned counsel for petitioner submits that if some time-bound directions are given in this regard, he would not press for any relief, at this juncture. He also submits that concerned Superintendent Jail be also directed to ensure that there is no threat to the life of the applicant as he apprehends some danger from jail-staff only. 6. Keeping in mind the overall facts of the case and in view of the aforesaid submission made by learned counsel for applicant, present bail application is disposed of as not pressed, with direction to learned Trial Court to make best efforts to ensure the presence of aforesaid material witness i.e. PW1 Sheikh Raju and to record his testimony, preferably, within a period of three months from today. Since other material witnesses have already been examined, the learned Trial Court would also make best efforts to dispose of the entire case, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of six months from the date it takes up the matter.

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Needless to say, in case the presence of the aforesaid witness is not secured within the period of three months and the trial is not over within the aforesaid period of six months, in either of the eventualities, applicant would

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BAIL APPLN. 1023/2026 2

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/04/2026 at 14:29:36

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be at liberty to file application afresh before this Court.

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A copy of this order be sent to learned Trial Court for information and compliance.

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A copy of this order be also sent to Superintendent Jail with direction to ensure his safety.

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MANOJ JAIN, J

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APRIL 17, 2026/ dr/sy

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BAIL APPLN. 1023/2026 3

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/04/2026 at 14:29:36

Raja v. the State NCT of Delhi

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Raja v. the State NCT of Delhi

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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