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Chandigarh: While releasing the senior IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, Zahur Haider Zaidi, an accused in the Kotkhai custodial death case, on regular bail, the Punjab and Haryana high court has observed that any attempt by him to influence the witnesses of the case would serve as a deterrent against repetition of similar attempt by him.

According to the HC, Zaidi has had a bitter dose and it is “unlikely” that he will tread the same path. These observations from the HC came because Zaidi had to remain behind bars for around additional two years and nine months as he had tried to influence a woman IPS officer of HP in this case after he was released on bail. His bail was subsequently cancelled just because of his attempts to influence the case.

“He would have learnt, though the hard way, consequences for trying to influence one of the witnesses. It would and should serve as a deterrent against repetition of similar attempts by him. It seems unlikely that would once again tread the same path,” the HC observed in its detailed order while granting him bail.

Zaidi has already spent more than four years in jail in this case during the pendency of trial. It was his seventh attempt or plea to get bail from the HC after the cancellation of his bail.

Justice Arun Monga has observed that it will be a travesty of justice to keep him in further incarceration indefinitely based on presumptions. As per the order, Zaidi has given an undertaking that he would not enter within the territorial limits of Himachal during bail period and would remain at his native place in Lucknow. However, he has been told to attend the trial court proceedings regularly.

In its 13-page order, the HC also observed: “Even assuming that on conclusion of trial, the petitioner would be convicted, still for the role ascribed to him in the commission of offences, it is highly unlikely that the extreme penalty of death would be awarded to him”.