New Delhi, March 12 The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to two individuals accused in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta granted relief to Pawan Bishnoi, an alleged associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, and Jagtar Singh, Moosewala's neighbor, suspected of having provided information about the singer to the Bishnoi gang.
Moosewala, 28, was shot dead by assailants in May 2022 while traveling in his SUV in Mansa, Punjab. Police have alleged that the killing was carried out by individuals linked to the Bishnoi gang, with Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, a known associate of Bishnoi, claiming responsibility for the murder.
Both Pawan Bishnoi and Jagtar Singh approached the apex court challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court order denying them bail, arguing that the statements of witnesses had not yet been recorded in the trial.
Advocate Abhay Kumar, representing Pawan, submitted that his client had no connection to the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi other than sharing the same surname.
The bench told the counsel that Pawan would be safer in jail. "It is for his own safety that he should remain in jail," the court observed.
Kumar further stated that Pawan became involved in the case due to a confession statement recorded in another case, in which he has been discharged.
He also argued that the allegation of having provided the Bolero car at the instance of accused Goldy Brar to facilitate the murder of Moosewala was not proven by the prosecution, as there was no recovery of the vehicle.
Pawan's counsel argued that he had spent nearly three-and-a-half years in custody, and the trial is expected to continue over a significant period, considering there are over 180 witnesses to be examined.
Jagtar Singh's counsel, on the other hand, claimed that his client was only a neighbor to the late singer and did not provide any information or facilitate the reconnaissance for the killing.
He submitted that the cameras installed near Moosewala's residence were meant for the security of his own house and not for reconnaissance.
The prosecution opposed the bail plea and submitted that Pawan Bishnoi had received 41 calls from Brar and others to arrange the vehicle used in the murder.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court decided to grant bail to the two accused.
The top court also questioned the government counsel on how mobile phones were used from inside prison, inquiring about the stage of the trial in that matter.
"How were mobile phones used in jail? Are your jail authorities also involved in a conspiracy? What is the stage of the trial?" the bench asked.
The government counsel said that the case is currently at the stage of recording evidence, and protected witnesses have already testified against the accused.
