Civil Judge Denied Anticipatory Bail in Theft Case

Civil Judge Denied Anticipatory Bail in Theft Case A civil judge accused of stealing gold ornaments from the residence of a deceased additional district judge has been denied anticipatory bail by the Patiala Sessions Court. Additional Sessions Judge Harinder Sidhu rejected the application filed by Civil Judge (Junior Division) Bikramdeep Singh on April 1, citing the grave nature of the allegations against a serving judicial officer. The prosecution alleges that Bikramdeep Singh conspired with house helpers to steal gold jewelry and other valuables from the home of late Additional District and Sessions Judge Kanwaljit Singh on the night of August 8, 2025, when Judge Kanwaljit Singh passed away in a hospital. An FIR was registered on March 21, 2026, based on a complaint from Dr. Bhupinder Singh Virk, who holds power of attorney for the deceased judge's son. The accused judge denied the allegations, claiming he was asked by the deceased's son, Angadpal Singh, to secure the valuables due to family ties and that he had handed them over. However, he failed to provide any proof to support this claim. The court observed that CCTV footage showed the clandestine movements of the applicant and house helpers. Emphasizing that the alleged crime undermines the integrity expected of a public servant, especially a judicial officer, the court clarified that judicial officers do not have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. Considering the seriousness of the charges, the CCTV evidence, the lack of convincing evidence for lawful possession, and the need to recover substantial property, the court concluded that granting anticipatory bail would adversely affect the investigation.

Source: CourtBeat News (Kannada)