Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks Response from Judicial Magistrate Over Bail Granted to Relative
Lexpedia · 8 November 2025, 12:00 am
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has sought a response from Judicial Magistrate 1st Class Vandana over allegations that she granted bail to an accused who is her close relative.
The Court was hearing a plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to accused Reshab Walia by JMIC Vandana in a case registered under Sections 195A (threatening any person to give false evidence) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
Court Directs Comments from Judicial Officer
While deferring the matter to November 26, Justice Sumeet Goel said, “Before proceeding further in the matter, this Court deems it appropriate to elicit comments from the concerned Judicial Officer namely Smt. Vandana, Judicial Magistrate 1st Class. The Registrar General of this Court is directed to seek comments of the said officer (in a sealed cover) for the perusal of this Court and put up the same on the next date of hearing.”
Allegations of Conflict of Interest
The plea was filed by complainant Akash Walia, who alleged that Judge Vandana is the cousin sister of accused Reshab Walia. He contended that the judge ought not to have heard the matter.
In response, the Haryana Government submitted that the judge and the accused are distant relatives.
The Court noted that as per the Haryana Government’s response, "Mrs. Vandana Walia is the distant relative of Respondent no.2 Rishab Walia."
Trial Court’s Bail Order
While granting bail, Judge Vandana had questioned how Section 195A IPC was made out against the accused.
The trial court order stated: “So, this is a procedural section which provides the procedure when there is an allegation under Section 195-A IPC. It clearly says that a complaint need to be made by the person when witnesses are threatened etc. Here in the present FIR nowhere the perusal of the remand papers and the whole police file, it is clear that there is any threaten to any witness and the evidence.”
Case Title: AKASH WALIA v. STATE OF HARYANA AND ANOTHER
