Jobanjit Singh Patwari v. State Of Punjab

CRM-M-30164-2026 (O&M) 1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-30164-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 29.05.2026 Jobanjit Singh Patwari ....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab

...Respondent

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

Mr. Viren Sibal and Mr. Arman Goyal, Advocates 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.04 dated 25.02.2026, registered under Sections 13(1)(c), 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act (now 13(1)(a), 13(2) as amended in 2018), read with 409, 406, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Range Amritsar. 2.

Learned counsel contends that the petitioner has been in custody for more than 3 months. The allegations are with regard to an entry made wayback in 2017, however, the FIR has now been registered in the year, 2026. He has unblemished service record of more than 16 years. At best, it would be a case of dereliction of duty. Co-accused namely Resham Singh has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 06.05.2026. Challan was presented on 25.05.2026 and charges have not been framed and in all there are 15 prosecution witnesses. The petitioner is not involved in any other case.

CRM-M-30164-2026 (O&M) 2 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 3 months and 1 day.

4.

Learned State counsel opposes the bail on the ground that there are specific allegations against the petitioner that he had intentionally not entered the land, that was to be transferred in the name of Government into the revenue record. 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 3 months and 1 day; not involved in any other case; co-accused is on bail; challan stands presented on 25.05.2026, however, charges are yet to be framed and there are a total of 15 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 the petitioner by this order.

9.

In view of the above, it is clarified that the observations made

CRM-M-30164-2026 (O&M) 3 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