Akashdeep Singh @ Akash v. State Of Punjab

In the High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh CRM-M-5819-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision:- 23.04.2026 Akashdeep Singh @ Akash ... Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab ... Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA Present:- Mr. H.P.S. Rakhra, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Anup Singh, AAG, Punjab.

***** SUBHAS MEHLA , J. (Oral) 1.

By way of the present petition, the petitioner is seeking regular bail in FIR No.66 dated 07.12.2025, registered under Sections 21, 27-A and 29, of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, at Police Station Mattewal, District Amritsar Rural.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present cases. No recovery has been effected from him. It is further contended that the alleged recovery of contraband, i.e., 7 grams of 'heroin', from the petitioner falls under the category of noncommercial quantity. He is in custody for the last 04 months and 14 days; he is not involved in any other case except the present one; trial of the case will take sufficient time to conclude. Hence, learned counsel prayed for concession of bail to the petitioner.

3.

Custody certificate dated 22.04.2026 of the petitioner filed by learned State counsel today in Court, is taken on record. As per custody GEETA RANI 2026.04.29 10:11 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh

CRM-M-5819-2026 (O&M) ( 2 ) certificate, the petitioner has been behind bars since 08.12.2025 i.e. for about 04 Months and 14 days and is not involved in any other case. 4.

Learned State counsel opposed the prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner by submitting that 27 grams of 'Heroin' has been recovered from the joint possession of the petitioner and co-accused. However, he has not disputed the fact that the contraband recovered from the present petitioner i.e. 7 grams of 'Heroin' falls under non-commercial quantity.

5.

Heard.

6.

Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly, the alleged recovery of contraband i.e. 7 grams of 'Heroin' from the petitioner falls under non-commercial quantity; the petitioner has been behind bars since 08.12.2025; he is not involved in any other case except the present one; the trial is likely to take considerable time to conclude, and no fruitful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody for any further period, as concession of bail cannot be denied just as a measure of punishment and it is a trite principle of criminal jurisprudence that bail is a rule, jail is an exception, this Court deems it a fit case to grant the concession of regular bail to the petitioner.

7.

Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the instant petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing requisite bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned. ( SUBHAS MEHLA ) 23.04.2026 JUDGE Geeta Whether speaking /reasoned Yes / No Whether Reportable Yes / No GEETA RANI 2026.04.29 10:11 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh