Maninder Singh v. State Of Punjab

CRM-M-12533-2026 (O&M) 1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-12533-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 18.03.2026 Maninder Singh ....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab

...Respondent

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

Mr. Sahil Sharma, 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.8 dated 07.04.2025, registered under Section 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act & Section 61(2) BNS (120-B IPC), at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Punjab Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana.

2.

Learned counsel contends that the petitioner has been in custody for more than 4 months. His name surfaced based on the disclosure statement of co-accused Harpreet Singh, whose name was disclosed by Manish Kumar-the main accused, the former has been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 15.10.2025, while the latter by the learned Special Court, Ludhiana vide order dated 16.05.2025, besides the above, one Jaiteg Singh on 28.11.2025, Annexure P-3, after being in custody for 2 months and 9 days, who was also named by

CRM-M-12533-2026 (O&M) 2 Harpreet Singh and one Sukhwinder Singh Grewal, who was implicated based on the 4th disclosure statement of co-accused Jaiteg, has been granted interim anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 15.12.2025, which was later on made absolute. He alleges false implication. Neither he is a public servant nor had demanded or accepted any bribe for getting driving license issued without conducting of test. Challan has been presented on 20.01.2026, however, charges have not been framed and in all there are 38 PWs. He is not involved in any other case.

3.

The custody certificate dated 17.03.2026, filed by the learned State counsel is taken on record. As per the same, the petitioner is behind bars for 4 months and 2 days.

4.

Learned State counsel opposes the bail on the ground that there are specific allegations against the petitioner of having received an amount of Rs.4,49,000/- from the co-accused Harpreet Singh. However, he is unable to controvert the submissions with regard to stage of the case, the petitioner being not involved in any other case and co-accused having been enlarged on bail. 5.

Heard.

6.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, in particular that the petitioner is in custody for 4 months and 2 days; not involved in any other case; co-accused are on bail; challan was presented on 20.01.2026, however, charges are yet to be framed and there are total 38 PWs, 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.

CRM-M-12533-2026 (O&M) 3 7.

The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case and shall abide by the following conditions:- (i) The petitioner will not tamper with the evidence during the trial.

(ii) The petitioner will not pressurize/ intimidate the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The petitioner will appear before the trial Court on each and every date fixed, unless is exempted by a specific order of Court.

(iv) The petitioner shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which, he is an accused, or for commission of which he is suspected of.

(v) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly coerce, induce, threaten or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/ her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence in any manner.

(vi) The petitioner shall not in any manner misuse his liberty.

(vii) The petitioner shall furnish his address and mobile number by way of an affidavit to the trial Court and not change the same till conclusion of trial and if for any reasons, he seeks to change either of the aforesaid, it shall be done only with prior information to the learned trial Court.

(viii) The petitioner shall not leave the country without prior permission of the trial Court.

(ix) The trial Court/Duty Magistrate may impose any other condition, as deemed appropriate while releasing the petitioner.

8.

It is made abundantly clear that in case there is any breach of the aforesaid 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-12533-2026 (O&M) 4 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 18.03.2026 M.Kamra Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes / No Whether reportable :

Yes / No