Liberty yes, but one can’t subvert justice: Punjab and Haryana High Court denies bail to man in Rs 1.89 crore public funds ‘scam’

Punjab and Haryana High Court news: Noting that an individual’s liberty and dignity must be held high, but no one can be permitted to subvert and cause devolution in the process of justice, thePunjab and Haryana High Courthas dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of an accountant implicated in a multi-crore corruption scandal involving the Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP).

JusticeSumeet Goelruled that the petitioner failed to demonstrate any substantial change in circumstances since his first bail application was rejected in January 2026, and further characterised the petitioner’s conduct as an evasion of the legal process.

“While liberty and dignity of an individual must be held high, no one can be permitted to subvert and cause devolution in the process of justice,” thehigh courtsaid on March 11.

The order added that the process ofjusticeis meant to treat every individual in a manner that is equitable and when the fair petitioner-accused chooses to employ irregular and convoluted tactics, including undue delay, strategically aimed at proceedings/investigation, it is tantamount to an abuse of the process of justice.

Jagriti Rai works with The Indian Express, where she writes from the vital intersection of law, gender, and society.

Working on a dedicated legal desk, she focuses on translating complex legal frameworks into relatable narratives, exploring how the judiciary and legislative shifts empower and shape the consciousness of citizens in their daily lives.

Socio-Legal Specialization: Jagriti brings a critical, human-centric perspective to modern social debates.

Her work focuses on how legal developments impact gender rights, marginalized communities, and individual liberties.

Diverse Editorial Background: With over 4 years of experience in digital and mainstream media, she has developed a versatile reporting style.

Her previous tenures at high-traffic platforms like The Lallantop and Dainik Bhaskar provided her with deep insights into the information needs of a diverse Indian audience.

Academic Foundations:
Post-Graduate in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), India’s premier media training institute.

Master of Arts in Ancient History from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), providing her with the historical and cultural context necessary to analyze long-standing social structures and legal evolutions....

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