Karandeep Singh v. State Of Punjab

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 29.05.2026 KARANDEEP SINGH ......Petitioner Vs.

STATE OF PUNJAB .....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA

Present:

Ms. Anmol, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab.

MANISHA BATRA J. (Oral) 1.

The present petition has been filed by the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR No.122, dated 20.05.2025, registered under Sections 21(b), 25, 21(c) 27(A) and 29 of NDPS Act and Section 25 (1B) (a) of Arms Act at Police Station Division No.8, Jalandhar, Punjab. 2.

Vide order dated 21.04.2026, passed by this Court, the petitioner was granted interim bail and was directed to join investigation. Order dated 21.04.2026, passed by this Court, reads as under: "The present petition has been filed by the petitioner under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (For short "BNSS") seeking anticipatory bail in case arising out of FIR No.122 dated 20.05.2025 registered under Sections 21(b), 25, 21(c), 27A and 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short 'NDPS Act') and Section 25 (1B) (a) of Arms Act, 1959 at Police Station Division No.8, District Police Commissionerate Jalandhar.

-2The aforementioned FIR was registered on the allegations that on 20.05.2025, the accused Shivam Sodhi @ Shiva was apprehended on the basis of suspicion and on conducting his search, 5 Kg of heroin and currency notes to the tune of Rs.22,000/- were recovered from his conscious possession which were taken into custody by the police. Accused Shivam Sodhi suffered disclosure statement admitting his involvement in the crime and by saying that the petitioner along with the co-accused Manjot Singh, Barinder Singh and Yousaf were involved with him in trade of drugs and formed a racket. The petitioner and the above named persons were nominated as additional accused. Accused Barinder Singh @ Babbu was arrested on 23.05.2025 and recovery of 01 Kg of heroin was effected from him. Accused Shivam Sodhi subsequently got recovered 7 Kgs.

of heroin and two Creta cars. The accused Yousaf @ Sukhjit Singh @ Sukha got recovered three pistols with six live cartridges with 100 grams of heroin. Apprehending his arrest, the petitioner moved an application for grant of anticipatory bail which has been dismissed by the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Jalandhar vide order dated 12.01.2026. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case on the basis of disclosure statement of the co-accused which cannot be considered to be admissible in evidence. He is presently in Dubai. He is ready to join investigation. His custodial interrogation is not required. No recovery is to be effected from him. It is, thus, argued that the petition deserves to be allowed.

Learned State counsel, on the other hand, has argued that there are serious allegations against the

-3petitioner. His custodial interrogation is must for conducting thorough investigation in the matter and it is, therefore, argued that the petition does not deserve to be allowed.

Rival submissions as addressed by both the parties have been considered.

Adjourned to 14.05.2026.

In the meantime, the petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating/Arresting Officer to join investigation within two weeks or as and when subsequently required thereafter. In the event of his arrest, the Investigating/Arresting Officer shall release the petitioner on ad-interim bail on furnishing personal/surety bonds to his/her satisfaction. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of BNSS."

3.

Learned State counsel, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, has submitted that the petitioner has joined investigation on 27.05.2026 and he is not required for custodial interrogation. 4.

Keeping in view the above mentioned facts and circumstances, without commenting on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed and the orders dated 27.05.2026/14.05.2026, granting interim bail to the petitioner, is made absolute, subject to the conditions laid down in Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (analogous to Section 438(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure). 29.05.2026 (MANISHA BATRA) P. Seth JUDGE Whether speaking/non-speaking : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No