Jatin Nanda v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-7989-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 22.04.2026 JATIN NANDA ... Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY Present :

Mr. Ruhani Chadha, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Manipal Singh Atwal, DAG, Punjab.

**** AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (Oral) 1.

The present petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS, 2023, for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.154, dated 10.07.2025, under Section 22 of NDPS Act (Section 29 of NDPS Act added later on), registered at Police Station City Phagwara, District Kapurthala. 2.

On 12.02.2026, this Court had passed the following order:- "Learned counsel inter alia contends that the petitioner has been nominated based on the disclosure statement of one Pardeep Kumar, from whom no recovery was effected, and had been implicated in the present case by co-accused, Vishal Sharma, from whom noncommercial quantity of contraband, it being 50 tablets of Tramadol, was allegedly recovered, who was named by co-accused Krishan, who was apprehended at the spot. The petitioner disputes his identity as the name which co-accused Pardeep Kumar had stated, was Jatinder Kumar, while he is Jatin Nanda. Reliance is placed on the judgment passed by Hon'ble the Supreme Court in the case of Toofan Singh Vs. State of Tamil Nadu, 2021 (1) RCR (Criminal)

1. The petitioner is not involved in any other case; ready and willing to join the investigation as and when required by the investigating agency and will cooperate.

Notice of motion.

At the asking of the Court, Ms. Gagandeep Kaur, DAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State. Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation on or before 23.02.2026. In the event of his arrest, he shall be released on interim bail to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, subject to compliance of conditions as enshrined under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

However, it is clarified that if the petitioner does not join and cooperate with the Investigating Agency as required by the Arresting/Investigating Officer, this interim order shall be deemed to have been vacated.

Adjourned to 17.03.2026."

ASHOK KUMAR 2026.04.22 18:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M-7989-2026 (O&M) -23.

Learned counsel submits that in pursuance of the afore-mentioned order, the petitioner has not only joined investigation but also fully cooperated with the investigating agency. He further submits that in case the investigating agency requires the petitioner to appear, he shall make himself available without demur.

4.

Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Darshan Singh affirms the factum of joining the investigation by the petitioner on 18.02.2026 and cooperating with the investigating agency. He also submits that at this stage, the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation. 5.

In view of the above and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, anticipatory bail petition filed by the petitioner is allowed and the order dated 12.02.2026 granting interim bail to him, is hereby made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions as specified under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

6.

However, it is made clear that if the petitioner fails to join and cooperate with the investigating agency as and when required, the State would be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of the present anticipatory bail granted to him.

(AMAN CHAUDHARY) 22.04.2026 JUDGE ashok Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No ASHOK KUMAR 2026.04.22 18:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document