Summary: Jitender Bhati, also known as Happy, has been allowed to leave jail temporarily while his case is still ongoing. This decision was made by Judge Girish Kathpalia on January 17, 2026, after considering several factors, including the long time Bhati has already spent in jail.
On October 29, 2015, a report was filed for Pawan Kumar, who went missing in Burari, New Delhi. A few days later, on November 1, 2015, a police report was filed because people suspected that Jitender Bhati and his brother Narender had kidnapped Pawan over a money argument. Unfortunately, Pawan's body was found with gunshot wounds, and his face was badly injured, showing that he was violently attacked.
"Jitender Bhati asks for regular bail in case police report No. 1360/2015 of Police Station Burari."
Jitender Bhati's lawyer argued that others involved in the case, like Rahul Baisla, who were accused of similar actions, were already out of jail temporarily. They pointed out that out of 81 people who were supposed to talk in court, only 32 had done so, and Bhati had been in jail since 2015. This long time in jail was a major reason they gave for why Bhati should be released.
The lawyers against Bhati's release agreed that Bhati and Baisla had similar roles but pointed out that Bhati had been labeled a wanted person when he didn't return from a temporary release during the COVID-19 period. A police report was filed against him on January 1, 2024, for allegedly threatening the person who complained.
"It is stated that when Jitender Bhati was let out temporarily during the Covid period, he was labeled a wanted person."
Judge Girish Kathpalia decided to let Bhati leave jail temporarily, considering the fact that his co-accused were also allowed out and the trial has been going on for a long time. Bhati is to be released if he promises to pay Rs.10,000 if he doesn't follow the rules, with someone else also promising the same amount.
Jitender Bhati, after spending over ten years in jail, has been granted temporary release while his trial continues. The decision took into account the fairness of treating him the same as others involved in the case and the long time he's already spent in custody.
