In the High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh 215+235 CRM-M-71609-2025 (O&M) Vijay Kumar … Petitioner Versus State of U.T., Chandigarh ... Respondent 235-I CRM-M-71435-2025 (O&M) Niranjan Kumar … Petitioner Versus State of U.T., Chandigarh ... Respondent 235-II CRM-M-72026-2025 (O&M) Ajit Kumar … Petitioner Versus State of U.T., Chandigarh ... Respondent Date of Decision:- 13.02.2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA Present:- Mr. Manvender Chauhan, Advocate and Mr. Mohit Kakkar, Advocate for the petitioner(s) in CRM-M-71609-2025 and CRM-M-71435-2025. Mr. Ranwant Sangha, Advocate, for the petitioner in CRM-M-72026-2025. Mr. Manish Bansal, P.P., U.T., Chandigarh with Mr. Dixit Bhardwaj, Advocate. ***** SUBHAS MEHLA , J. (Oral) 1. By way of these present petitions, the petitioners are seeking regular bail in FIR No.55 dated 25.06.2025, registered under Sections 420, GEETA RANI 2026.02.18 16:47 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh CRM-M-71609-2025 (O&M) CRM-M-71435-2025 (O&M) and CRM-M-72026-2025 (O&M) ( 2 ) 511, 465, 468 and 471 of IPC, 1860 (Section 120-B of IPC added later on), at Police Station North, District Chandigarh. 2. Learned counsel(s) for the petitioner(s) contended that the petitioners have been falsely implicated in the present case. Petitioner-Vijay Kumar (in CRM-M-71609-2025) is in custody since 10.10.2025, petitioner- Niranjan (in CRM-M-71435-2025) is in custody since 15.10.2025 and petitioner-Ajit Kumar (in CRM-M-72026-2025) is in custody since 20.10.2025. It is further submitted that co-accused, namely, Devender Mor, has already been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 28.11.2025 passed in CRM-M-64832-2025 and co-accused, namely, Sahil has been granted anticipatory bail the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 10.12.2025 passed in SLP(Crl.) No.11461-2025. Investigation has already been completed and the offences are triable by Magistrate. Hence, prayed for concession of bail to the petitioners as trial will take sufficient time to conclude. 3. Learned State counsel opposed the prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioners by submitting that the allegation against the present petitioners is that they appeared in SSC-CGL exam using forged and fabricated disability certificates. As per custody certificate(s) filed by learned State counsel, the petitioners are in custody for the last about 04 months. Learned State counsel submits that there is apprehension that if the petitioners released on bail, they will tamper with the prosecution evidence. 4. Heard. 5. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, petitioners are in custody for the last about 04 months; investigation has GEETA RANI 2026.02.18 16:47 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh CRM-M-71609-2025 (O&M) CRM-M-71435-2025 (O&M) and CRM-M-72026-2025 (O&M) ( 3 ) already been completed; co-accused, namely, Devender Mor, has already been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 28.11.2025 passed in CRM-M-64832-2025 and co-accused, namely, Sahil has been granted anticipatory bail the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 10.12.2025 passed in SLP(Crl.) No.11461-2025; the trial is likely to take considerable time to conclude, and no fruitful purpose would be served by keeping them in custody for any further period, as concession of bail cannot be denied just as a measure of punishment and it is a trite principle of criminal jurisprudence that bail is rule, jail is an exception, this Court deems it a fit case to grant the concession of regular bail to the petitioners. 6. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the instant petitions are allowed. The petitioners are ordered to be released on regular bail on their furnishing requisite bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned. 7. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stands disposed of accordingy. 8. A copy of this order be placed on the file of each connected case. ( SUBHAS MEHLA ) 13.02.2026 JUDGE Geeta Whether speaking /reasoned Yes / No Whether Reportable Yes / No GEETA RANI 2026.02.18 16:47 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh