STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Jammu, Preet Simran Kour, has rejected the bail plea of Ravinder Singh, a meter reader with the Power Development Department (PDD), accused of firing at Advocate Kanav Sharma.
According to police reports, on January 3, 2025, Singh allegedly fired multiple rounds at Adv Kanav Sharma in the New Plot area of Jammu following an altercation over a parking dispute. Sharma sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital by locals. An FIR 01/25 was registered at Bakshi Nagar Police Station, and the investigation is ongoing.
During the hearing, Advocate Deepika Pushkar Nath represented Singh, while APP Vikram Parihar argued on behalf of the Union Territory. The court noted that while there was no evidence of prior enmity between Singh and Sharma, the accused’s act of carrying and using a licensed pistol in broad daylight over a minor issue posed a significant threat to public safety.
CJM Kour observed that such incidents highlight a disturbing trend of individuals resorting to violence over trivial matters. “Carrying a licensed weapon does not grant anyone the right to harm others. Firing in a public place endangers not only the targeted individual but also innocent bystanders,” she remarked.
The court emphasized the importance of addressing such cases firmly to ensure societal safety. It underscored that the accused had prima facie committed a serious offense of attempted murder, a heinous crime with grave implications. Considering the severity of the allegations and the ongoing investigation, the court found sufficient grounds to deny bail.
The CJM concluded that the accused’s actions were a blatant misuse of personal liberty, adding that the judiciary must act decisively to curb violence and protect public peace. The bail application was subsequently dismissed.