JUDGMENT Rajan Gupta, J. (Oral).:- This is a petition under Section 439 Cr.P.C. seeking regular bail in a case registered against the petitioner under Sections 392, 454, 120-B and 397 IPC, at Police Station City Malerkotla, District Sangrur, vide FIR No.233 dated 29th November, 2008. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that petitioner is in custody since 29th November, 2008 and trial of the case is still pending at the stage of prosecution evidence. 3. Learned State counsel has opposed the prayer for bail on the ground that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. He, however, does not dispute the fact that evidence of certain prosecution witnesses is yet to be recorded. 4. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case and the fact that the petitioner has been in custody for almost 01 year and 07 months, I am of the considered view that no useful purpose will be served by detaining the petitioner in custody any further. Trial of the case may still take some time to conclude. So, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this petition is allowed and the petitioner is directed to be released on bail to the satisfaction of Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate, Sangrur. ------------