JJP Leader Dr Anant Ram Barwala Secures Default Bail in Foetal Sex Determination Case
In a significant legal development in Hisar, Jannayak Janata Dal (JJP) leader Dr Anant Ram Barwala and his associate Surajmal have been granted default bail by a Fast Track Special Court. The bail was awarded after the police reportedly submitted an incomplete challan in a case involving illegal prenatal sex determination tests.
Details of the Case and Arrest
Dr Barwala, who contested the last assembly elections from Barwala, was among four individuals arrested on January 29 by a team from the district health department in Azad Nagar. The arrests were made on allegations of conducting illegal foetal sex determination tests, a practice strictly prohibited under Indian law.
A case was registered against five accused, including one unidentified person, under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. With this latest ruling, all four arrested accused have now secured bail, marking a temporary relief in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Investigation and Raid Details
According to Dr Anamika Bishnoi, the PNDT nodal officer, the health department had received specific intelligence about illegal sex determination activities being conducted near a clinic in Azad Nagar. Acting swiftly on this information, a joint team comprising health officials and police personnel conducted a raid, leading to the apprehension of Dr Barwala and his associates.
This case represents the sixth FIR registered against the 68-year-old doctor in connection with similar allegations. Notably, he has been acquitted in one such case previously. In a separate matter reported in 2023, his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Supreme Court, resulting in several months of judicial custody before he was eventually granted bail.
Legal Grounds for Default Bail
Advocate Sanjay Garg, counsel for Dr Anant Ram Barwala, explained the legal basis for the default bail. He stated that the police submitted the investigation report on the 61st day without including the crucial Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report. The court deemed this submission as an incomplete challan, thereby granting default bail to the accused under legal provisions.
Siddhant Jain, superintendent of police, clarified that while challans under the PCPNDT Act were filed by the health department, the police would proceed with further actions based on the court's specific orders and directions.
Political Background of Dr Anant Ram Barwala
Dr Anant Ram Barwala has a long political journey, having contested the Barwala assembly seat five times under different party tickets, though he has yet to secure an electoral victory. His political career includes:
- 1996: Contested as a Haryana Vikas Party candidate, polling 19,257 votes but losing to independent candidate Reluram.
- 2000: Ran as an independent candidate, finishing third with 14,960 votes.
- 2005: Again contested as an independent, securing third place with 15,401 votes.
- 2009: Represented the Rashtriya Arya Rajya Sabha Party, but managed only 753 votes.
- 2024: Contested on a JJP ticket in the assembly elections, polling 481 votes.
The authorities have indicated that further legal action will follow in accordance with the court's directions, as the case continues to unfold in the judicial system.
