Baljinder Singh v. State Of Punjab
- 1 -
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH Decided on : 08.04.2026 Baljinder Singh . . . Petitioner(s)
Versus
State of Punjab . . . Respondent(s)
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH PRESENT: Mr. Ankur Jain, Advocate for Mr. Ramnish Puri, Advocate for the petitioner(s).
Mr. Rahul Jindal, AAG, Punjab.
**** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (Oral) 1.
The instant petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 439 Cr.P.C.), for grant of regular bail to the petitioner, during the pendency of trial, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed here-under:- Name of Petitioner(s) FIR No.
Date Section(s) Police Station District Baljinder Singh 06.04.2023 306, 34 of IPC Valtoha Tarn Taran 2.
Complainant - Gurpreet Singh, got registered FIR with the following version:- "Statement of Gurpreet Singh, aged 45 years, son of Suba Singh, recorded on 06.04.2023 to the effect that for the last 27 years complainant is working as a driver in Qatar. Complainant had an elder brother, namely, Gulab Singh, who was married to Ravinder Kaur about 20 years back. From the said wedlock, a son, namely, Navdeep Singh was born. Three years after the marriage, Gulab Singh also shifted to Qatar and behind his back Ravinder Kaur left the matrimonial house after leaving behind her son Navdeep Singh. In the year 2004, the marriage of Gulab Singh was solemnized with Sarabjit Kaur, daughter of Dalip Singh, who had left her first husband and had joined the company of Gulab Singh. Sarabjit Kaur had a daughter from first marriage, namely, Navjot Kaur. From the
- 2 - wedlock of Sarabjit Kaur with Gulab Singh a daughter, namely, Simrajit Kaur was born, who is presently aged 11-12 years. The marriage of Navjot Kaur was solemnized with Baljinder Singh of village Bulandpur, who was also working in Qatar, in the year 2016. Later Gulab Singh shifted from Qatar to Dubai, where Gulab Singh died. Navdeep Singh, the son from 1st marriage of Gulab Singh, was working at a cloth shop in Amarkot and earning Rs.7000/8000/- per month. For the last one year, Sarabjit Kaur used to call the complainant and used to pressurize the complainant to separate Navdeep Singh from his step mother. Now two months back complainant had come to India from Quatar. In order to resolve the property dispute with Sarabjit Kaur, a gathering was held on 05.04.
2012 in the presence of respectables, in which Baljinder Singh, husband of Navjot Kaur, and Sarabjit Kaur were present. Sarabjit Kaur and Baljinder Singh were pressurizing for four shares of the agricultural land, but it was resolved that since Navdeep Singh is young in age, he could not be separated and that Sarabjit Kaur may keep the entire monetary control with her and shall look after Navdeep Singh. Later Navdeep Singh went to Amarkot for his personal work. Today, morning, at about 08:00 AM, Sarabjit Kaur telephonically informed the complainant that Navdeep Singh has committed suicide by hanging herself from the girder of his room, upon which complainant immediately rushed to the house of Sarabjit Kaur, where he saw the dead body of Navdeep Sigh lying in the veranda.
Navdeep Singh has committed suicide on account of harassment faced by him at the hands of Sarabjit Kaur and Baljinder Singh." 3.
Learned counsel for the petitioner argues that due to unfortunate incident - Navdeep Singh has lost his life. however, he has killed himself and it is not the case, where anybody else has killed him. There was no such abetment ever caused by anybody or even compelled by any situation that he had no other way out except of committing suicide. The required evidence is to be led by the prosecution for proving the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Conclusion of trial is likely to consume considerable time, whereas, petitioner is inside the jail for a period of more than 08 months. Learned counsel further submits that petitioner is 36 years of age and is not involved in any other criminal case of any kind. Besides, similarly situated co-accused - Sarabjit Kaur, has already been granted regular bail by the trial Court vide order dated 12.07.2023 (P-3). Thus, in view of the above factual position, and on the ground of equality with the co-accused, learned counsel for the petitioner prays that
- 3 - petitioner be also extended the concession of regular bail. 4.
On the other hand, learned State counsel has filed the custody certificate dated 07.04.2026 in Court today, which is taken on record. Office to tag the same at appropriate place.
A copy thereof has been handed over to the counsel for the petitioner.
5.
Learned State counsel, while opposing the prayer for grant of regular bail, submits that no lenient view can be taken qua the petitioner, as an innocent person has lost his life due to the circumstances allegedly created by the petitioner. However, he fairly concedes that as per custody certificate, petitioner is not involved in any other criminal case and coaccused, namely Sarabjit Kaur, has already been granted regular bail by the trial Court vide order dated 12.07.2023 (P-3). 6.
Heard.
7.
It is not in dispute that deceased Navdeep Singh has committed suicide. However, whether such act is attributable to the petitioner and coaccused would be established, only after evidence is led by the prosecution. Material ingredients as to whether abetment to commit suicide is made out at the instance of the petitioner would be determined by the trial Court upon appreciation of evidence.
It is noticeable that petitioner is inside the jail for a period of about 08 months and 01 day, is not involved in any other criminal case, and co-accused - Sarabjit Kaur, has already been granted bail. At this stage, without expressing any opinion on merits of the case, further incarceration of the petitioner would not serve any useful purpose. Accordingly, in the
- 4 - given facts and circumstances, this Court deems it appropriate to grant concession of regular bail to the petitioner. Consequently, prayer made in the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail, subject to his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/ Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case.
8.
Needless to observe that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly.
9.
The observation made here-in-above shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case and the Trial Court is expected to decide the case on the basis of complete evidence available on record.
10.
Petition stands disposed of.
Pending misc. application(s), if any, also stand(s) disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE April 08, 2026 J.Ram Whether speaking/reasoned:
Yes/No Whether Reportable:
Yes/No