Som Chand Vs State of Hp — Himachal Pradesh HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Som Chand Vs State of Hp — Himachal Pradesh HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Escorted interim release granted: Jail Superintendent directed to take the petitioner/accused to Village Khara, P.O. Jamniwala, Tehsil Ponta Sahib, District Sirmaur, H.P. on 23.04.2026 for his sister-in-law's marriage and his minor son's school admission, returning him to Jail on 29.04.2026 under proper escort; petitioner to bear all transportation, food and stay expenses of the escorting police officials. Petition stands disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether interim bail should be granted to the petitioner — already denied bail in Cr.MP(M) No. 208 of 2026 on a prima facie murder finding — so that he may attend his sister-in-law's marriage (23.04.2026–25.04.2026) and make arrangements for his minor son's school admission.

Court's answer

The Court allowed the present interim-bail application, holding the petitioner's presence necessary to attend the marriage and to arrange his minor child's school admission.

Ratio / Principle

The concerned Jail Superintendent was directed to take the petitioner/accused in proper custody to Village Khara, P.O. Jamniwala, Tehsil Ponta Sahib, District Sirmaur, H.P. on 23.04.2026.

Key takeaways

The petitioner is to be brought back to the Jail on 29.04.2026 under proper escort.ratio¶17
The petitioner shall bear all the expenses of transportation and also provide food and suitable stay to the police officials accompanying him.ratio¶17
A copy of the order is to be sent to the Superintendent, Model Central Jail, Nahan, District Sirmaur, H.P., through FASTER, to ensure the necessary compliance.ratio

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

INTERIM BAIL – ESCORTED CUSTODY RELEASE GRANTED (High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla; Rakesh Kainthla, J. (Oral); 21.04.2026; Cr. MP (M) No. 656 of 2026; not approved for reporting). Som Chand, in custody and facing a prima facie case of murder (his earlier bail application Cr.MP(M) No. 208 of 2026 having been dismissed on 08.04.2026 in view of the gravity of the offence), applied for interim bail as his sister-in-law's marriage was scheduled from 23.04.2026 to 25.04.2026 and he needed to make arrangements for his minor son's school admission. The learned Deputy Advocate General for the State submitted that he did not wish to file any reply. Allowing the application, the Court directed the Jail Superintendent to take the petitioner/accused in proper custody to Village Khara, P.O. Jamniwala, Tehsil Ponta Sahib, District Sirmaur, H.P. on 23.04.2026 and bring him back to Jail on 29.04.2026 under proper escort, the petitioner bearing all transportation expenses and providing food and suitable stay to the escorting police officials. A copy of the order was to be sent to the Superintendent, Model Central Jail, Nahan, through FASTER to ensure compliance. Petition stands disposed of.

2026:HHC:12538

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA

Cr. MP (M) No. 656 of 2026 Date of Decision: 21.04.2026.

Som Chand	...Petitioner
Versus
State of Himachal Pradesh	...Respondent

Coram

Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla , Judge. Whether approved for reporting?¹ No

For the Petitioner	: Ms. Kanta Thakur, Advocate.
For the Respondent/State	: Mr. Ajit Sharma, Deputy Advocate General.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge (Oral)

The present application has been filed for seeking interim bail on the ground that the marriage of the petitioner’s sister-in-law has been scheduled from 23.04.2026 to 25.04.2026, and his presence is necessary for performing the necessary rituals. The petitioner has also made arrangements for getting his minor son admitted to the school. Hence, the present application.

The applicant has earlier approached this Court by filing Cr.MP(M) No. 208 of 2026 which was dismissed by this

Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes.

1

2

2026:HHC:12538

Court on 08.04.2026 after holding that a prima facie case qua commission of murder was made out against him and, considering the gravity of the offence, the applicant could not be released on bail.

Since the presence of petitioner is required to make necessary arrangements and to attend the marriage as per the Hindu Rites and Customs, learned Deputy Advocate General for the respondent/State has submitted that he does not want to file any reply to the present application.

Considering the circumstances of the case and the fact that the presence of the petitioner is necessary for attending the marriage and to make arrangements for the admission of his minor child to the school, the present application is allowed. The concerned Jail Superintendent is directed to take the petitioner/accused in proper custody to Village Khara, P.O. Jamniwala, Tehsil Ponta Sahib, District Sirmaur, H.P. on 23.04.2026 and thereafter, he be brought back on 29.04.2026 to the Jail under proper escort. The petitioner shall bear all the expenses of transportation and also to provide food and suitable stay to the police officials accompanying him.

3

2026:HHC:12538

A copy of this order be sent to Superintendent, Model

Central Jail, Nahan, District Sirmaur, H.P. through FASTER, to ensure the necessary compliance.

Petition stands disposed of.

( Rakesh Kainthla)

Judge

21^st April, 2026 (Nikita) Digitally signed by CHANDER CHANDER SHEKHAR SHEKHAR Date: 2026.04.21 16:29:54 +0530