The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday suspended the life sentence of gangster Anil Chippi in a murder case from Rohtak district, Haryana, citing his prolonged custody of over 14 years and the unlikely possibility of his appeal being heard in the near future, as per a report by ANI news agency.
Court Order Details
A division bench comprising Justices Harsimran Singh Sethi and Deepak Manchanda passed the order on April 29, 2026, making it clear that the relief was granted solely on account of the long period already spent in jail. The court emphasised that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.
"The sentence of the applicant-appellant, namely Anil Lila, is ordered to be suspended during the pendency of the appeal, and he further is ordered to be released on bail, if not required to be kept in custody in any other case," the court said.
Background of the Case
Anil Chippi was convicted by the Additional Sessions Judge, Rohtak, on May 31, 2024, under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959. The case relates to an FIR registered in 2009 at Sampla police station, involving a violent incident nearly 17 years ago. Chippi was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Arguments and Decision
Chippi's counsel argued that since the appeal was filed only in 2025, it was unlikely that the court would take it up for hearing soon, and that he had already served more than 14 years. Accepting this, the High Court ordered suspension of his sentence and granted bail, subject to conditions.
However, the order is unlikely to result in his immediate release. The state informed the court that Chippi faces 16 other cases under stringent laws like the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in which he is not on bail.
Court's Clarification
"It may be noted that grant of benefit of suspension of sentence to the applicant-appellant in the present case will not influence the court concerned with regard to the other cases being faced by the applicant-appellant so as to grant him the benefit of bail or suspension of sentence in other cases, and the same will be decided on the merits of each case being faced by the applicant-appellant," the court further added.
The court acknowledged that despite relief in this case, he would remain in custody. It also clarified that the suspension is conditional and can be revoked in case of any violation, while other cases will be decided independently on their merits.
