Gagandeep Singh v. State Of Punjab

Prayer in the present petition f filed under Section 483 BNSS, is for gran nt of regular bail to the petitio oner in case FIR No.55 dated 26.04.2020, , registered at Police Station ST TF, SAS Nagar, Mohali, under Sections 16 66-A, 213 and 347 IPC, Sections 15, 20, 21 and 59(2) of NDPS Act, 1985, Section 61(1) (14) of the Exci ise Act and Sections 7, 8, 12, 13(1) (b) of f the Prevention of Corruption A Act, 1988 and Section 84 of the Juvenile Jus stice Act.

2.

Learned counsel contends th at the petitioner has been in custody for r 1 year and about 3 months. He e alleges false implication.

3.

The custody certificate dated 29.10.2025, filed by the learned State counsel is taken on record. As per the same, the petitioner is behind bars for 1 year, 2 days and 24 days.

4.

Learned State counsel opposes the bail on the ground that there are specific allegations levelled against the petitioner of having connived with co-accused ASI Manjit Singh, who was receiving the money to release the accused in NDPS cases. However, he is unable to controvert the submissions with regard to stage of the case; the petitioner being not involved in any other case and the co-accused being released on bail.

5.

Heard.

6.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, in particular that the petitioner is in custody for the last 1 year, 2 months and 24 days; not involved in any other case; co-accused on bail; charges stand framed on 01.10.2024, however, 41 PWs remain to be examined; the trial is likely to take a considerable time and 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, subject to furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case and shall abide by the following conditions:- (i) The petitioner will not tamper with the evidence during the trial.

(ii) The petitioner will not pressurize/ intimidate the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The petitioner will appear before the trial Court on each and every date fixed, unless is exempted by a specific order of Court.

(iv) The petitioner shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which, he is an accused, or for commission of which he is suspected of. (v) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly coerce, induce, threaten or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/ her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence in any manner.

(vi) The petitioner shall not in any manner misuse his liberty.

(vii) The petitioner shall furnish his address and mobile number by way of an affidavit to the trial Court and not change the same till conclusion of trial and if for any reasons, he seeks to change either of the aforesaid, it shall be done only with prior information to the learned trial Court. (viii) The petitioner shall not leave the country without prior permission of the trial Court.

(ix) The trial Court/Duty Magistrate may impose any other condition, as deemed appropriate while releasing the petitioner.

8.

It is made abundantly clear that in case there is any breach of the aforesaid 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 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.