Harjinder Singh Alias Gabbar v. State Of Punjab

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision:09.02.2026 Harjinder Singh @ Gabbar ... Petitioner Vs.

State of Punjab ... Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA

Present:

Mr. Abhaysher Singh, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Roshandeep Singh, AAG, Punjab.

...

Manisha Batra, J. (Oral).

1.

The petitioner is seeking indulgence of this Court for grant of regular bail in case arising out of FIR No.137, dated 19.07.2023, registered under Sections 21 and 22 of the NDPS Act (offence punishable under Section 29 was added and Section 21 of the NDPS was deleted lateron), at Police Station Guruharsahai, District Ferozepur, on the allegations that on 19.07.2023, a secret information was received to the effect that the petitioner, who was indulged in the business of selling heroin, could be apprehended with huge quantity of contraband on the same day, as he was present at a particular place, with the same, if raid was conducted. Believing the secret information to be true, a raiding party was formed, which raided the informed place and apprehended the petitioner while carrying a black coloured polythene bag in his right hand. After conducting search, recovery of 20

-2strips of intoxicating tablets each strip containing 50 tablets totaling 100 tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride 100 mg. Covidol-100 was effected from the same. The petitioner was formally arrested and suffered a disclosure statement on 21.07.2023 to the effect that he had taken the recovered contraband from co-accused Manav. Co-accused Manav was nominated as an accused as such. The petitioner along with co-accused is now facing trial for commission of aforementioned offences.

2.

It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case. A false recovery has been planted upon him. He is in custody since 21.07.2023. Trial will take considerable time to conclude as only 03 out of 09 prosecution witnesses have been examined so far. His involvement in other cases cannot be considered to be a ground for denying benefit of bail to him. With these broad submissions, it is urged that he deserves to be extended benefit of bail.

3.

Per contra, learned State counsel has vehemently opposed the grant of any relief to the petitioner by submitting that there are serious and specific allegations against him. The recovered contraband is of commercial quantity. There are chances of the petitioner's absconding or committing similar offences, if extended benefit of bail. Therefore, it is urged that the petition does not deserve to be allowed.

4.

This Court has heard rival submissions made by learned counsel for the parties.

5.

It is well-settled law that the Court, while considering an application for grant of bail, has to keep certain factors in mind such as whether there is a prima facie case or reasonable ground to believe that the

-3accused has committed the offence, circumstances which are peculiar to the accused, likelihood of the offence being repeated, the nature and gravity of the accusation, severity of the punishment in the event of conviction, the danger of the accused absconding or fleeing if released on bail, and reasonable apprehension of the witnesses being threatened, etc. However, at the same time, the period of incarceration is also a relevant factor to be considered while deciding whether bail should be granted to an accused charged with an offence under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The twin conditions under Section 37 of the NDPS Act are to be satisfied. The rigors of Section 37 of the NDPS Act are attracted in this case as the accusations pertain to the recovery of commercial quantity of contraband from the petitioner.

6.

In the instant case, contraband of commercial quantity was recovered from the petitioner. The petitioner has remained in custody for a period of 02 years, 01 month and 10 days. Only 03 out of 09 prosecution witnesses have been examined by the prosecution till date. Obviously, the trial will take considerable time to conclude. It is true that grant of bail on account of delay in trial and long period of incarceration is to be considered in light of Section 37 of the NDPS Act. Reliance in this regard can be placed on the observations made by the Hon'ble Apex Court in Mohd. Muslim @ Hussain v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2023 SCC OnLine SC 352, wherein it was held that grant of bail on account of undue delay in trial cannot be said to be fettered under Section 37 of the NDPS Act, given the imperative of Section 436A which is applicable to offences under the Act. It was also observed that the jails are overcrowded and their living conditions are, more often

-4than not, appalling. The danger of unjustified imprisonment is that inmates are more likely to be hardened rather than reformed. Reliance can also be placed upon Manmandal and another v. State of West Bengal, Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 8656 of 2023 decided on 14.09.2023 and Rabi Prakash v. State of Odisha, 2023 SCC OnLine SC 110, wherein bail was granted to the accused, who had been incarcerated for a period of almost two to three years and the trial was likely to take considerable time. By observing that prolonged incarceration generally militates against the most precious fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and in such a situation, the constitutional principle must override the statutory embargo contained under Section 37 of the NDPS Act. 7.

In view of the above discussion, this Court is of the opinion that a case is made out for grant of bail to the petitioner at this stage. Accordingly, the petition is allowed and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his furnishing personal as well as surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court, and subject to the condition that he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case. He shall appear before the learned trial Court on each and every date of hearing except when his presence has been exempted by the trial Court. He shall surrender his passport, if any, furnish details of his cell phone and Aadhar card, and shall not change his mobile number(s) during the pendency of the trial. 8.

It is clarified that the observations made above shall not be construed as an expression of opinion of this Court on the merits of the case and shall not influence the outcome of the trial in any manner.

-59.

Since the main petition has been allowed, pending application, if any, is rendered infructuous.

(MANISHA BATRA) 09.02.2026 JUDGE harjeet Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No