John Alias Ladi Alias Johan v. State Of Punjab
-1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
Decided on: 30.04.2026
......Petitioner Versus
......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA
Present:
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-3- 7.
Taking into consideration the facts & circumstances of the present case and the rival contentions of the parties, this Court finds merit in the present petition on the following aspects: (I) the petitioner has been in custody for the last 09 months & 21 days;
(II) investigation has been completed & challan has been filed; (III) petitioner is on similar footing as that of co-accused, namely, Jaspreet Singh @ Gobhi, Raj Rani & Major Singh who have been granted regular bail by the Coordinate Bench of this Court vide separate orders of even dated 19.01.2026 passed in CRMM-56660-2025, CRM-M-47774-2025 and CRM-M-480342025, respectively; co-accused, namely, Mamta Rani & Vijay Kumar who have also been granted concession of regular bail by this Court vide orders dated 23.04.2026 & 24.04.2026, respectively, passed in CRM-M-6259-2026 & CRM-M-163602026, respectively; (IV) trial is likely take sufficient time to conclude and as such, no fruitful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody for indefinite period.
8.
Concession of bail cannot be denied just as a measure of punishment as culpability is to be decided by trial Court after appreciating evidence adduced by the parties, and it is a trite principle of
-4- criminal jurisprudence that bail is rule, jail is an exception, this Court deems it a fit case
9.
Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is directed to be released on regular bail on his furnishing requisite bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned.
10.
Nothing observed herein shall be construed as an opinion on the merits of the main case.
(SUBHAS MEHLA) JUDGE 30.04.2026 Sonia Puri Whether Speaking/Reasoned: YES/NO Whether Reportable:
YES/NO