Ganga Bahadur Bhandari v. State Of Punjab

CRM-M-9163-2026 (O&M) 1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-9163-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 21.05.2026 Ganga Bahadur Bhandari ....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab

...Respondent

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY ***** Present :

Ms. Madhu Bala, Advocate for Mr. J.S. Moudgill, Advocate for the petitioner 




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

Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 483 BNSS is for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.151 dated 15.07.2024, registered under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 201 IPC added later on at Police Station City Sangrur, District Sangrur. 2.

Learned counsel contends that the petitioner has been in custody for about 1 year and about 2 months. The allegations against him are of having obtained power of attorney in his favour, which was later found to be forged. Co-accused Gurpiar Singh, who was the beneficiary, has since been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 16.10.2025, Annexure P-4, after being in custody for 6 months and 21 days, besides co-accused Pritam Singh Nambardar, Jagdeepinder Singh and Narinder Singh have been granted anticipatory bail and regular bail respectively. Challan was presented on 26.06.2025, however, the charges have not been framed. In all there are 26 prosecution witnesses. The petitioner is not involved in any other case.

CRM-M-9163-2026 (O&M) 2 3.

The custody certificate dated 20.05.2026, filed by the learned State counsel is taken on record. As per the same, the petitioner is behind bars for 1 year, 1 month & 22 days.

4.

Learned State counsel opposes the bail on the ground that there are specific allegations against the petitioner of having been obtained forged power of attorney. However, he is unable to controvert the submissions with regard to stage of the case, co-accused having been granted bail and the petitioner being not involved in any other case.

5.

Heard.

6.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, in particular that the petitioner is in custody for the last 1 year, 1 month and 22 days; not involved in any other case; co-accused have been enlarged on bail; challan stands presented on 26.06.2025, however, the charges have yet not been framed and there are 26 prosecution witnesses in total, the trial is likely to take a considerable time, further incarceration of the petitioner would be violative of his right enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the present petition is allowed.

7.

The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing requisite bail bond/surety bond to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate, concerned.

8.

It is made abundantly clear that in case there is any breach of the conditions, the State shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail as granted to the petitioner by this order.

9.

In view of the above, it is clarified that the observations made

CRM-M-9163-2026 (O&M) 3 herein above are limited for the purpose of present proceedings and would not be construed as any opinion on the merits of the case and the trial would proceed independently of the aforesaid observations. (AMAN CHAUDHARY) JUDGE 21.05.2026 M.Kamra Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes / No Whether reportable :

Yes / No