Navnetar Alias Loli v. State Of Punjab

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-19983-2026 (O&M).

Date of decision: 21.04.2026.

NAVNETAR ALIAS LOLI

...Petitioner(s)

VERSUS

STATE OF PUNJAB

...Respondent(s)

CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VINOD S. BHARDWAJ PRESENT Mr. Amritpal Singh Mann, Advocate, (Legal-aid-cousel) for the petitioner(s).

Mr. Mohit Kapoor, Sr. DAG, Punjab.

VINOD S. BHARDWAJ, J. (Oral) This is the first petition filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case bearing FIR No.04 dated 19.01.2022, under Section(s) 21, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, registered at Police Station Sadar Hoshiarpur, District Hoshiarpur. The aforesaid FIR was registered pursuant to recovery of 65 grams of intoxicating powder (tramadol) from the conscious possession of the petitioner i.e. from the right side pocket of the trouser worn by him. He contends that it being a case of chance recovery, the petitioner was taken into custody and was eventually granted regular bail. The petitioner, however,

-2absconded and was declared a proclaimed person on 26.03.2025 and was rearrested on 29.03.2025. It is contended that even though the charges were framed on 24.07.2025, however, no witness has been examined so far. State counsel, on the other hand, contends that the petitioner has criminal antecedents and he is involved in three other cases for commission of offences under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, out of which in one of the cases he has been acquitted and convicted in the other two. Thus, the averment as regards the antecedents of the petitioner contained in Para No.16 of the present petition is factually incorrect. However, the custody period already undergone by the petitioner and the stage of the trial is not disputed.

Having heard the counsel for the respective parties and without commenting anything on the merits of the present case and further taking into consideration the period of custody already undergone by the petitioner; the recovered quantity being non-commercial and the stage of trial wherein no witness has been examined so far, I deem it appropriate to allow the present petition. However, since the petitioner has made a deliberate attempt to conceal the fact regarding his involvement in other criminal cases, hence, he is burdened with cost which is quantified at ₹10,000/- (Ten Thousand Only) to be deposited with the "Red Cross. Old Age Home" A/c No.50100286016319, IFSCHDFC0004030, HDFC Bank, Sector-15, Panchkula.

Accordingly, the present petition is allowed. Subject to deposit of aforesaid amount, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his furnishing requisite bail bond/surety bond to the satisfaction of the Trial Court/Duty Magistrate, concerned.

-3It is made clear that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witnesses in any manner directly or indirectly.

The observation made hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression on the merits of the case and the trial Court shall decide the case on the basis of available material.

April 21, 2026.

(VINOD S. BHARDWAJ) raj arora JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No