Sonu Bhalwan @ Ranjeet Singh v. State Of Punjab
CRM-M-22434-2026 -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-22434-2026 Date of decision : 04.05.2026 Date of uploading : 04.05.2026 Sonu Bhalwan @ Ranjeet Singh .............Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab .......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL
Present:
Mr. Sumit Dua, --- SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL) 1.
Present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.142 dated 02.08.2025 under Sections 115(2), 126(2), 191(3), 190, 118(1) of BNS and Sections 117(2), 118(2) of BNS added later on, registered at Police Station Navi Baradari, District Jalandhar.
2.
The case set up in the FIR in question (as set out in the present petition by the petitioner) is as follows:- "Statement of Shehnaz Mohammad, age 45 years, son of Mohammad Sharif, resident of village Kanganiwal, post office Hazara, tehsil & district Jalandhar, resident near Senior Secondary School, Ladhewali. Jalandhar, mobile number 98151 68256. Stated that I am a resident of the above address and I have been practicing as a paramedical doctor at Joginder Nagar, Kaki village, for the last 22 to 23 years and I have a medical store named M. K Medical Store. These shops were taken on rent by me 22 to 23 years ago from Amarjit Singh (deceased) son of Karnail Singh, resident of house number 354, Joginder Nagar, Kaki village, Jalandhar.
Amarjit Singh, his wife Balbir Kaur, along with their three sons Kulbir Singh, Kuljit Singh and Harvinder Singh, were permanently residing at 43, COLLINDAL AVE, ERITH, KENT, UK. Amarjit Singh had a property in Jalandhar, who is now deceased, and his wife Balbir Kaur used to visit India frequently.
CRM-M-22434-2026 -2look after the shops, and after his death, Jaspal Singh, who seems to be Amarjit Singh's nephew, used to look after the shops and collect the rent from me. On 26.07.2025, I was going to Phagwara Gate, Jalandhar for my personal work after closing my shop like every day from 8:00 to 8:15 PM on my Activa number PB08- CC-1760 when I started crossing Ladowali Road, Phatak at around 8:35 PM to 8:40 PM and due to the speed breaker. I slowed down. At that moment, two persons on two motorcycles Hero Honda Shine and another black motorcycle and three persons came and stopped my Activa by parking their motorcycles in front of my Activa. This person is the same person who had come to my shop with Jaspal Singh etc, a few days ago and had threatened me to vacate the shop and left whom I can recognize when I come across them.
All these young men were armed with swords, baseball bats and maces and as soon as they arrived they told me to catch him and kill him, not to leave him alive because the owners had called from foreign country. Before I could say anything, the motorcyclist and the person sitting behind attacked me on the head with swords with the intention of killing him, which injured my head in two or three places. Then I put my left arm forward to protect myself, then the people sitting on the other motorcyclist with baseball bats and maces hit me on the legs with baseball bats and maces, which broke my left arm and fractured the fingers of my left hand and my right leg was also broken and they injured my right leg and both ankles. I was completely bleeding and shouted "mar ditta mar ditta".
Hearing my screams, my brother Shaukat and his friend Anil Kamal, a resident of the village, Kanganiwal who had come for their personal work tato Ladowali Road, Jalandhar came to me and other people also gathered there. Seeing my brother and other people gathering, the above five persons along with weapons threatened me that today you have escaped, we will not leave you in the future and we will kill you.
I am fully convinced that this attack on me was carried out by Jaspal Singh son of Iqbal Singh who is resident of 336, Kaki Village, Jalandhar at Wazir Enclave, Hoshiarpur Road, Jalandhar and Balbir Kaur wife Amarjit Singh resident of 354, Joginder Nagar, Kaki Village, Jalandhar now residing of 43, COLLINDAL AVE, ERITH, KENT, UK, their son and Balbir Kaur's brother-in-law resident of Urban Estate, Model Town, Jalandhar and Jaspal Singh's brother-in-law resident of Amritsar, in collusion with each other with the intention of killing me.
That the persons who attacked me are the same persons who earlier along with Jaspal Singh, Balbir Kaur and Balbir Kaur's brother-in-law and 2 to 3 other relatives and Jaspal Singh's brother-in-law came to my shop and threatened to vacate the shop saying that if you do not vacate the shop then you will have to face bad consequences. The reason for this deadly attack is that the said persons hired people to vacate the shops with the intention of killing me. I do not know the names of the people who attacked me but I can recognize them when they come forward. Then my brother Shaukat Ali and his friend Anil Kamal took me to Sagar Hospital, Jalandhar where they gave me first aid. Since the injuries were severe and serious, my family admitted me to Johal Hospital, Rama Mandi, Jalandhar where I am undergoing treatment.
Due to which my condition was very serious and I could not even speak. But after a few days I have recovered today and now I am giving this statement in the presence of my brother Shaukat Ali. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and justice should be done to me. I have read the statement and heard it well. Narrator Sd/- Shahnaz Muhammad, Shaukat Ali, 98159-90719. Police Action- On 26-07-2025, ASI along with CT Satwinder Singh 1682 was present at the area police station in connection with the patrolling and checking of bad men that the night munshi informed on the phone that a person was admitted to Sagar Hospital, Sant Nagar, Ladewali Road, ANKIT CHAUHAN COPY OF THE Jalandhar due to injuries sustained in a fight near Ladowali Road, Jalandhar, and reached for action.
ASI along with his fellow official reached Sagar Multi Specialist Hospital and Maternity Home 1164 Sant Nagar, Ladowali Road, Jalandhar, Where Sagar Hospital received an Intimation chit and an MLR number 06 dated 26-07-2025 from an unknown person, Shahnaz Mohammad. son of Mohammad Sharif resident of VPO Kanganiwal, Jalandhar, and submitted a written application to Dr. Sahib to obtain the statement of patient. On which the doctor has written that patient is unfit to give a statement. In this regard, a report number 23 dated 2607-2025 was registered at the police station.
CRM-M-22434-2026 -3submitted a written application to the doctor to obtain the statement of patient Shehnaz Mohammad, son of Mohammad Sharif, resident of VPO Kanganiwal, Rama Mandi, Jalandhar. On which the doctor has written that patient is unfit to give statement. On which, the ASI submitted a written application to Johal Hospital Rama Mandi Jalandhar on 28-07- 2025, 29-07-2025, 30-07-2025, 3107-2025 and 01-08-2025 to obtain the statement of patient Shehnaz Mohammad, regarding which the doctor declared patient unfit to give a statement. On 02-082025, the ASI submitted a written application to the Medical Officer Sagar Hospital Sant Nagar to obtain a report regarding the MLR No. 06 dated 26-072025 of the Shehnaz Mohammad, which has been recorded by the doctor in the MLR. Ladowali Road Jalandhar Pass.
A written report was submitted by the Medical Officer Sagar Hospital Jalandhar. In which the doctor wrote that, "This is to certify that Patient Shehnaaz Mohammad, 45 years old male presented to the hospital in emergency department on 26.07.2025 at 09:30 Pm with the following injuries: 1. Cut Bleeding wound on head on temporo-occipital region (Right Side) with sharp weapon-Nature of Injury-Danger to life. 2) Cut Bleeding wound on head on fronto-parietal region (Left Side) with sharp weapon-Nature of Injury- Danger to life.
3)Cut wound on Left hand between middle finger and third finger with sharp weapon-Nature of Injury-Grievous, 4) Left Arm-Blunt weapon-Nature of Injury-Grievous Injury, 5) Left Hand-Blunt weapon- Nature of Injury-Grievous Injury, 6) Right Hand-Blunt weapon-Nature of Injury-Grievous Injury MLR Private Hospital Sagar Multispecialist Hospital and Maternity Home 1164 Sant Nagar Ladowali Road Jalandhar has been obtained from Sagar Hospital's letter head that the injuries sustained by patient are of Danger to Life and Grave Injury Nature, regarding which further action will be taken after obtaining medical opinion from Civil Hospital Jalandhar.
Today, ASI along with HC Saranjit Singh 2769, HC Gurdeep Singh 944, Sr/Ct Rajinder Singh 2265 reached Johal Hospital Rama Mandi Jalandhar to obtain the statement of patient Shehnaz Mohammad where Majroob Shehnaz Mohammad submitted a written application to the doctor to obtain the statement. On which the doctor declared patient fit to give a statement. On which patient Shehnaz Mohammad son of Mohammad Sharif resident of village Kanganiwal, Dakkhana Hazara, Tehsil and District Jalandhar Hall resident of Near Senior Secondary School, Ladhewali, Jalandhar, gave his statement recorded before the ASI in the presence of his brother Shaukat Ali. The statement was recorded and read out. He accepted his statement as correct and signed the statement in English and his brother Shaukat Ali also confirmed it. The ASI verified it.
In his statement he mentioned the names as Balvir Kaur wife Amarjit Singh, Kulvir Singh, Kuljit Singh, Harvinder Singh sons Amarjit Singh resident of UK, Jaspal Singh son Iqbal Singh resident of house number 336 Kaki village Jalandhar, Balvir Kaur brother-in-law resident of Urban Estate Model Town Jalandhar and Jaspal Singh's brother-in-law resident of Amritsar as conspirators, all of whom are family members/relatives whose shops have been rented by complainant for a long time. Statement Balvir Kaur wife Amarjit Singh, Kulvir Singh, Kulit Singh. Harvinder Singh sons Amarjit Singh Residents of UK are living abroad and are still abroad at this time. Balvir Kaur wife Amarjit Singh, Kulvir Singh, Kuljit Singh.
Harvinder Singh sons Amarjit Singh resident of UK, Jaspal Singh son Iqbal Singh resident of house number 336 Kaki village Jalandhar, Balvir Kaur brother-in-law resident of Earthen Estate Model Town Jalandhar and Jaspal Singh's brother-in-law resident of Amritsar should be thoroughly investigated as the conspirators of the incident. At present, a case should be registered against 05 unknown attackers who attacked by making a statement under the crime of 115(2), 118(1). 126(2), 191(3), 190 BNS. Which is being sent to the police station of S/Ct Rajinder Singh 2265 to register a case and inform the case number. The control room should be informed. The area magistrate should be informed by issuing special reports. I am in the process of investigating the case including ASI. Area:- Johal Hospital Rama Mandi Jalandhar.
AT 09:10 PM, SD/- English Sucha Singh ASI, Police Station New Baradari Commissionerate Jalandhar Date 02-8-2025. Today Police Station:- Since the above written complaint is in the police station, the said case has been registered under the above sections and the original copy of the FIR is being sent to the ASI on the occasion of Sr/Ct Rajinder Singh 2265. Officers Bala and the control room are being informed. Today Police Station:- Since the above written case is in the police station, the said case has been registered under the above sections and the original copy of the FIR is being sent to the ASI on the occasion of S/Ct Rajinder Singh 2265.
CRM-M-22434-2026 -4room are being informed. (CCTNS Report: CCTNS Project) Due to the absence of ID of ASI Sucha Singh 2168, the investigation officer of the case is being assigned as ASI Balwinder Singh 3269, but the actual investigator of the case is ASI Sucha Singh 2168."
3.
Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that the petitioner is in custody since 05.12.2025. Learned counsel has further argued that the petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question. Learned counsel has further argued that the FIR in question has its genesis in a dispute between the injured on one hand and Jaspal Singh/Balbir Kaur on the other hand, however, no challan/charge sheet has been filed against them. Learned counsel has further submitted that, assuming arguendo, the prosecution version is taken to be correct, the prime role attributed to the petitioner is that of catching hold of the injured. Thus, regular bail is prayed for.
4.
Learned State counsel has opposed the present petition by arguing that the allegations raised are serious in nature and thus the petitioner does not deserve the concession of the regular bail. Learned State counsel seeks to place on record custody certificate dated 02.05.2026 in Court, which is taken on record. 5.
I have heard counsel for the parties and have gone through the available records of the case.
6.
The petitioner was arrested on 05.12.2025 wherein after investigation was carried out and challan stands presented on 10.03.2026. Total 26 prosecution witnesses have been cited but none has been examined till date. It is thus indubitable that culmination of trial will take its own time. The rival contentions raised by learned counsel give rise to debatable issues which shall be ratiocinated upon during the course of
CRM-M-22434-2026 -5trial. This Court does not deem it appropriate to delve deep into these rival contentions, at this stage, lest it may prejudice the trial. Nothing tangible has been brought forward to indicate the likelihood of the petitioner absconding from the process of justice or interfering with the prosecution evidence.
6.1 As per custody certificate dated 02.05.2026 filed by learned State counsel, the petitioner has already suffered incarceration for a period of 4 months and 26 days & is shown to be involved in other case. As per the said custody certificate, the petitioner is stated to be involved in more cases/FIRs. Indubitably, the antecedents of a person are required to be accounted for while considering a regular bail petition preferred by him. However, this factum cannot be a ground sufficient by itself, to decline the concession of regular bail to the petitioner in the FIR in question when a case is made out for grant of regular bail qua the FIR in question by ratiocinating upon the facts/circumstances of the said FIR. Reliance in this regard can be placed upon the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Maulana Mohd. Amir Rashadi v. State of U.
P. and another, 2012 (1) RCR (Criminal) 586; a Division Bench judgment of the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court in case of Sridhar Das v. State, 1998 (2) RCR (Criminal) 477 & judgments of this Court in CRM-M No.38822-2022 titled as Akhilesh Singh v. State of Haryana, decided on 29.11.2021, and Balraj v. State of Haryana, 1998 (3) RCR (Criminal) 191. Suffice to say, further detention of the petitioner as an undertrial is not warranted in the facts and circumstances of the case. 7.
In view of above, the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing bail/surety bonds
CRM-M-22434-2026 -6to the satisfaction of the Ld. concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate. However, in addition to conditions that may be imposed by the concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate, the petitioner shall remain bound by the following conditions:- (i) The petitioner shall not mis-use the liberty granted. (ii) The petitioner shall not tamper with any evidence, oral or documentary, during the trial.
(iii) The petitioner shall not absent himself on any date before the trial.
(iv) The petitioner shall not commit any offence while on bail. (v) The petitioner shall deposit his passport, if any, with the trial Court.
(vi) The petitioner shall give his cell-phone number to the Investigating Officer/SHO of concerned Police Station and shall not change his cell-phone number without prior permission of the trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate.
(vii) The petitioner shall not in any manner try to delay the trial. 8.
In case of breach of any of the aforesaid conditions and those which may be imposed by concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate as directed hereinabove or upon showing any other sufficient cause, the State/complainant shall be at liberty to move cancellation of bail of the petitioner.
9.
Ordered accordingly.
10.
Nothing said hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.
(SUMEET GOEL) JUDGE 04.05.2026 Whether speaking/reasoned:
Yes/No Whether reportable:
Yes/No