Manjit Singh @ Gora @ Gori v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Sr. No.224 Date of Decision: 19.03.2026 MANJIT SINGH @ GORA @ GORI

...Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB ....Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MANDEEP PANNU Present:- Mr. Chandan Singh Rana, Ms. Sonia Parmar Rana and Ms. Komal Sohi, Advocates for the petitioner.

***** MANDEEP PANNU, J. (Oral) 1.

This is the first petition under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in FIR No.238, dated 21.11.2023, under Section 21 of Mines and Minerals (Regulation of Development) Act, 1957, registered at Police Station Sidhwan Bet, District Ludhiana Rural. 2.

The allegations in the present case are that on the basis of secret information with regard to committing theft of mining from Satluj river near the area of village Baghian Khurd, the police party reached at the spot, where two tractor-trolleys loaded with sand were seen coming. The said vehicles were signaled to stop, however, on seeing the police party, the drivers fled away from the spot leaving the vehicles behind. Thereafter, on the basis of information received, the present petitioner Manjit Singh @ Gora was nominated as one of the persons involved in illegal mining and was arrested on 24.01.2026.

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has contended that the petitioner is in custody for the last one month and 21 days. It is further submitted that the co-accused Mandeep Singh has already been released on regular bail in the present case. It is also contended that the petitioner was not apprehended at the spot and has been falsely implicated in the present case. Accordingly, it is prayed that the petitioner be released on regular bail. 4.

Notice of motion.

5.

On the asking of the Court, Mr. Hardeep Hans, AAG, Punjab accepts notice and contests the present petition. It is submitted that serious allegations of illegal mining from the Satluj river have been levelled against the petitioner. It is further submitted that the ownership of the tractor-trolley involved in the present case is yet to be ascertained and therefore, the petitioner is not entitled to be released on regular bail. 6.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have perused the record.

7.

Challan in the present case has already been presented. The petitioner was not apprehended at the spot. Two co-accused in the present case have already been granted the concession of regular bail. The petitioner is in custody for the last one month and 21 days. The conclusion of trial is likely to take some time.

8.

In view of the above facts and circumstances, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner behind the bars. Accordingly, the present petition is allowed and the petitioner is ordered to be released on

regular bail subject to furnishing of adequate bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned. 9.

However, it is made clear that nothing stated hereinabove shall be construed as an expression on the merits of the case. 10.

All pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of. (MANDEEP PANNU) 19.03.2026 JUDGE Anu Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No