Harjit Singh v. State Of Punjab

CRM-M-30165-2026 (O&M) 1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-30165-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 29.05.2026 Harjit Singh ....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab

...Respondent

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

Mr. Parvinder Singh, Advocate for the petitioner Mr. Adesh Pal Singh, AAG Punjab ***** 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.9 dated 04.11.2025, registered under Sections 316(5), 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 61(2) BNS and 7(A) 13(1) read with 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station Punjab State Crime, Police Station Phase-4, SAS Nagar, Mohali. 2.

Learned Senior counsel contends that the petitioner has been in custody for more than 6 months. Co-accused Neeraj Kumar Kochhar was in the business of lending money and was facilitating loan, who has since been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 15.05.2026, after being in custody for about 6 months. The amounts were received by the few loanees, after sanctioning by the petitioner, which was returned, as they had borrowed from him. He as a matter of fact, had not forged documents, based of the documents, what was hand over to him by the aforesaid co-accused that the loan was duly sanctioned. Challan was presented on 20.01.2026, while supplementary on 14.05.2026, however, charges have not been framed and in all

CRM-M-30165-2026 (O&M) 2 there are 25 and 29 prosecution witnesses respectively. The petitioner is not involved in any other case.

3.

The custody certificate dated 28.05.2026, filed by the learned State counsel is taken on record. As per the same, the petitioner is behind bars for 6 months and 11 days.

4.

Learned State counsel opposes the bail on the ground that there is an amount, which was transferred to the account of the petitioner and had the statements of beneficiaries have also been recorded, who did not have the knowledge of few of the loanees. However, he is unable to controvert the submissions with regard to stage, co-accused having been granted bail and the petitioner being not involved in any other case. 5.

Heard.

6.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, in particular that the petitioner is in custody for the last 6 months and 11 days; not involved in any other case; co-accused is on bail; challan stands presented on 20.01.2026 and supplementary on 14.05.2026, however, charges are yet to be framed and there are a total of 25 and 29 prosecution witnesses, 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.

7.

The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing requisite bail bond/surety bond to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate, concerned.

8.

It is made abundantly clear that in case there is any breach of the conditions, the State shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail as granted to

CRM-M-30165-2026 (O&M) 3 the petitioner by this order.

9.

In view of the above, it is clarified that the observations made 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 29.05.2026 M.Kamra Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes / No Whether reportable :

Yes / No