2008 INSC 1437
                                    SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

                                              Balwinder Singh

                                                      Vs.

                                               State of Punjab

                                           Crl.A.No.829 of 2002

                                (Dr.Arijit Pasayat and P.P. Naolekar JJ.)

                                                  13.06.2008

                                                   ORDER

1. Heard.

2. By dated 22nd August, 2001, a learned Single Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court
cancelled the bail granted to the appellant by another learned Single Judge of the High Court.
The protection in terms of Sec. 438 Cr.P.C. was in terms of order dated 30.3.2000 of learned
Single Judge.

3. We have heard learned counsel for the parties. As has been held by this Court in Adri
Dharan Das vs. State of West Bengal1, grant of protection under Sec.438 Cr.P.C. is not for an
indefinite period. Within the time to be stipulated in the order prayer for regular bail has to
be made and considered on merit. Therefore, we direct that the order dated 30.3.2000, as was
originally passed by a learned Single Judge, shall be operative for a period of six weeks
within which period the appellant shall seek regular bail in terms of what has been stated in
aforesaid decision of this Court.

The Criminal Appeal is disposed of accordingly.

12005(4) SCC 303

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