Sandeep Singh v. State Of Punjab

CRM-M No.36627 of 2025 -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ***** CRM-M No.36627 of 2025 Date of decision : 16.9.2025 Sandeep Singh .............Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab .......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. H.S. Rakhra, Advocate and Ms. Gurvinder Kaur, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Gaurav Gurcharan S. Rai, Senior DAG, Punjab --- 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.5 dated 26.1.2025, under Sections 25, 25(1), 25(1)(d), 25(8) of Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 111 (in Head Note of the petition mentioned as Section 11 of BNS) and 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, registered at Police Station SSOC, Amritsar, Intelligence Wing (CID).

2.

The gravamen of the FIR in question is that while roaming with other members of the gang in two Maruti Swift cars bearing registration no.HR-95B-9261 and P0B-06AA-1816 in the area near Delhi Public School on Amritsar-Jalandhar Road, Amritsar, the petitioner was arrested on 26.1.2025, on the basis of secret information and one 30 bore pistol loaded with magazine containing 5 live cartridges was recovered from the

CRM-M No.36627 of 2025 -2petitioner, and other deadly weapons from co-accused. 3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that the petitioner is in custody since 26.1.2025. Learned counsel has further argued that the petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question. Learned counsel has further argued that, assuming arguendo, the prosecution version is taken to be correct, the recovery effected from the petitioner is one 30 bore pistol with magazine containing 5 live cartridges. Learned counsel has further argued that the mandatory provision of BNSS has not been scrupulously complied with and hence the prosecution case suffers from inherent defects. Learned counsel has further argued that the petitioner is a man with clean antecedents. 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 15.9.2025 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 26.1.2025 wherein after investigation was carried out and challan stands presented on 25.4.2025. Total 16 prosecution witnesses have been cited but none has been examined till date. It is thus indubitable that conclusion of trial will take its own time. The rival contentions raised by learned counsel give rise to

CRM-M No.36627 of 2025 -3debatable issues which shall be ratiocinated upon during the course of trial. 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. As per custody certificate dated 15.9.2025 filed by learned State counsel, the petitioner has already suffered incarceration for a period of 7 months and 9 days & is not shown to be involved in any other case.

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 to 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.

CRM-M No.36627 of 2025 -48. 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 16.9.2025 Ashwanii Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No