Sukhwinder Singh Alias Billa v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH CRM-M-69646-2025 (O&M) Date of decision : 19.02.2026 Sukhwinder Singh @Billa ..... Petitioner

VERSUS

State of Punjab ..... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA PARTAP SINGH Present :

Mr. P.K.S. Phoolka, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Eklavya Darshi, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. ***** SURYA PARTAP SINGH, J.

This petition for bail, which is fourth petition, has been filed by the petitioner under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, This petition has been filed with regard to a case arising out of FIR No.51 dated 12.09.2023 for the commission of offence punishable under Sections 22 and 27 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, hereinafter being referred to as 'NDPS Act', Police Station GRP Sangrur, District Sangrur.

2.

The abovementioned FIR came into being when a chance recovery of contraband took place from the possession of petitioner, who was intercepted during the course of patrolling by a police party. As per prosecution from the possession of petitioner, 12 vials of onerex salt of

codeine phosphate (total 1 kg 200 gm) and 150 tablets of carisoma were recovered.

3.

It is the case of the prosecution that pursuant to abovementioned recovery of contraband, the abovementioned FIR was slapped against the petitioner and he has been duly prosecuted. 4.

Notice of motion.

5.

Mr. Eklavya Darshi, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab appears on behalf of respondent-State. Hence service of notice upon the State is hereby dispensed with. The learned State Counsel has filed custody certificate of the petitioner. The same be taken on record. No formal reply has been filed by the State. However, the learned State Counsel has orally opposed the present petition.

6.

Heard.

7.

The record has been perused carefully.

8.

A perusal of record shows that this is fourth petition for bail filed by the petitioner. The third petition for bail filed by the petitioner was dismissed in recent past, i.e. on 23.07.2025, wherein it has been recorded that the petition was withdrawn after arguing at length. The custody certificate of the petitioner shows that he does not have clean antecedents, and that he is already facing three other prosecutions, two under NDPS Act and one under various provisions of IPC and Arms Act.

9.

It shall not be out of place to mention here that the trial is also taking place at a reasonable pace as out of 19 prosecution witnesses six have already been examined, 05 have been given up and thus, only 08 witnesses are left to be examined. In addition to above there is no significant change in the relevant circumstances from the date of dismissal of former bail petition.

10.

As a sequel to abovementioned observations, it is hereby held that at this stage, the present petition for bail filed by the petitioner is not maintainable and deserves dismissal. Hence, the same is hereby dismissed, accordingly.

11.

However, keeping in view the fact that the petitioner is already in custody for a period of more than two years and five months, the learned trial Court is directed to expedite the trial in this case, and endeavour to decide the same within next six months, from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

12.

Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand(s) disposed of, accordingly.

(SURYA PARTAP SINGH) JUDGE 19.02.2026 Gaurav Thakur Whether speaking / reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No