Karanbir Singh @Karan v. State Of Punjab

CRM-M-11602-2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

CRM-M-11602-2026 Date of decision: 18.03.2026 Karanbir Singh @ Karan ......Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab .....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE AARADHNA SAWHNEY

Present:

Mr. Raghav Soni, Advocate for the petitioner. AARADHNA SAWHNEY , J (ORAL) By virtue of present petition, petitioner, a convict in case FIR No.28 dated 19.02.2021 under Sections 21-B,61,85 of NDPS Act, registered at P.S Division C, District Amritsar, has prayed for quashing of order dated 28.05.2025 passed by learned Judge, Special Court, Amritsar vide which on account of his absence from Court, his bail bonds and surety bonds were cancelled and forfeited to the State, and his presence was sought to be secured through non bailable warrants.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner was granted bail vide order dated 09.03.2021. Thereafter, he had been regularly appearing before the trial Court on each and every date of hearing. However, on one of the dates i.e 28.05.2025, on account of reasons beyond his control, he could not put in appearance. He contends that due to communication gap with his counsel, he could not appear before the trial Court on the date fixed. Therefore, his absence on the date fixed was not intentional but was on account of said reason. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is willing to join the proceedings on the next date of hearing and prays for grant of one opportunity to the petitioner to surrender before the trial Court. 4.

Notice of motion.

5.

At the asking of the Court, Mr. Gautam Thapar, Sr. DAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State. 6.

The very purpose of issuance of warrant of arrest, is to compel and secure the presence of the accused to face trial. Request made by the petitioner seems to be genuine.

MANOJ KUMAR 2026.03.20 06:07 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order

CRM-M-11602-2026 7.

This Court in CRM-M-36490-2022, titled as Major Singh vs. State of Punjab, decided on 15.09.2022, while considering the bonafide of the petitioner and finding the reason for his absence justified, set aside the order issuing non-bailable warrants. In CRM-M-38277-2022, Surjit Singh vs. State of Punjab, dated 26.08.2022 and CRM-M-39000-2022, titled as Raghav vs. State of Punjab, decided on 09.09.2022, the orders whereby non-bailable warrants were issued on account of his non-appearance, were set aside on the ground that the same was on account of having noted down the wrong date and failure of his counsel in not intimating the same.

8.

In the interest of justice, considering the facts and circumstances of the case and judgments referred hereinabove, the impugned order dated 28.05.2025, is set aside. Petition is disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to surrender before the court concerned within a period of ten days from today. On his doing so, he be released on the fresh bail/surety bonds. He is also directed to furnish an undertaking by way of an affidavit that he will appear on each and every date of hearing before the trial Court, unless specifically exempted by the Court. He shall not leave the country without prior permission of the Court. The Appellate Court may impose any other condition that it may deem appropriate in the facts and circumstances of the present case. 9.

Before parting with this order, it is made abundantly clear that in case the petitioner does not adhere to the aforesaid, the present petition shall be deemed to have been dismissed without any reference to this Court. 18.03.2026 ( AARADHNA SAWHNEY ) manoj JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No MANOJ KUMAR 2026.03.20 06:07 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order