In a significant order, the Uttarakhand High Court has granted bail to Atul Kumar, who is accused in the sensational 2024 Haridwar murder case. The order was passed by Justice Alok Kumar Verma on Monday while hearing Kumar’s bail plea.
The High Court noted that the prosecution’s case suffered from serious shortcomings in the evidence. Justice Verma observed that it would be improper to continue keeping the accused in custody indefinitely when the material presented failed to inspire confidence. The court also highlighted that the accused had no criminal antecedents and was a permanent resident, reducing the likelihood of him fleeing justice.
Accordingly, the court directed Kumar’s release on bail upon furnishing two sureties and a personal bond.
The case was registered at SIDCUL police station, Haridwar, following the death of Meenakshi, a resident of Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh. Meenakshi, who worked in a SIDCUL-based company, was allegedly shot by Atul Kumar, her former boyfriend, at her rented accommodation on December 17, 2024. She succumbed to her injuries 10 days later, on December 27, while undergoing treatment.
The prosecution relied heavily on the testimony of Swati, who was projected as an eyewitness. However, during court proceedings, she did not support the prosecution’s case. The defence argued that there was no independent witness against Kumar, and even the recovery allegedly made by the police was doubtful.
While the state opposed the bail application, it admitted that its key witness had turned hostile, significantly weakening its case.
Granting bail, the High Court stressed that the principles of justice require balancing the seriousness of the allegations with the available evidence. With the prosecution’s main witness retracting and the accused’s clean antecedents, the court found grounds to allow bail.
