Mamta Devi Alias Mamta Rani v. State of Haryana
Case brief
What is this about?
CRM-M-35401-2024 (O&M), Punjab & Haryana HC, decided 04.09.2025 by Kirti Singh, J. (oral): regular bail granted under S. 483 BNSS to Mamta Devi alias Mamta Rani (petitioner; adv. Kamal Guputa) in FIR No. 286 dated 11.10.2023, PS Nathu Sarai Chopta, Distt. Sirsa, Ss. 376(3)/34 IPC and Ss. 4/10 POCSO Act 2012 (respondent: State of Haryana, Sr. DAG Saumya Ahluwalia). Trial slow: charges framed 16.01.2024, only 2 of 16 PWs examined incl. material witnesses; custody 1 year 9 months 29 days; no other case against petitioner; prosecutrix allegedly refused medical examination; delay of ~5 months in FIR registration alleged by petitioner's counsel. Rationale: prolonged detention without prospect of early trial conclusion violates Art. 21 speedy-trial right; 'bail is a rule, jail is an exception' relied on from Dataram Singh v. State of U.P., (2018) 3 SCC 22. Outcome: petition allowed; bail on sureties with anti-tampering/no-intimidation/appearance/no-repeat-offence/no-inducement conditions; cancellation permissible on breach; observations not final on merits; misc. applications disposed.