“Shopping for Liberty”: Punjab & Haryana High Court Flags Hollow Promises for Bail

The Punjab and Haryana High Court criticised a growing practice where accused persons secure anticipatory bail by promising an amicable settlement, only to renege once liberty is granted.

Justice Sumeet Goel termed this a misuse of judicial leniency and a manipulation of the Court’s equitable jurisdiction.

The Court cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to a company director in a housing project cheating case after he failed to honour a mediated settlement.

Emphasising that such conduct undermines the sanctity of the justice system, the Court imposed ₹25,000 costs and directed the accused to surrender, warning against “shopping for liberty” through hollow undertakings.

[Surinder Pal Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr.]