Kuldeep Singh and Anr. Vs State of Punjab and Anr. (Supreme Court of India)
The Supreme Court considered appeals seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail granted by the High Court to certain accused persons in connection with an incident involving allegations of assault, firing, and caste-based abuse. The appellants alleged that they and other members of their community were attacked, fired upon, and subjected to casteist slurs. They argued that the High Court granted anticipatory bail primarily on the ground that no FIR had been registered on the complainant’s own statement, even though the complainant had allegedly been prevented from filing a complaint. According to the appellants, the accused committed criminal acts in the presence of the police. The dispute arose from allegations that drainage water was directed into the houses of marginalized residents belonging to a Scheduled Caste, which led to protests. It was claimed that members of the upper caste, led by the accused, then unleashed violence without provocation.
The State submitted that the police had acted impartially and explained that the incident originated from a civil dispute relating to drainage. According to the police version, both sides were called to the police station for settlement, but the group led by the appellants refused to appear and instead blocked a public road. The police attempted reconciliation, but the situation escalated when a march was taken to the residence of one of the accused, after which firing occurred. The State also stated that no one was injured in the firing and that stone pelting had injured police personnel.
