<h1>Anticipatory bail granted to government officer in 2021 corruption case; four-year non-arrest supports bail under Section 438 CrPC</h1> The Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to a Punjab government officer in a 2021 corruption case, criticizing the Punjab and Haryana High Court's handling of his 2025 bail plea as 'cryptic and unusual.' The top court noted the high court inexplicably granted bail to a co-accused alleged to have accepted the bribe while refusing relief to the officer and asking the state police why no chargesheet or arrest had occurred in four years. The Supreme Court held non-arrest for four years supported discretionary bail, directed that if the officer is arrested he be released on bail subject to conditions set by the investigating officer.