CRM-M-71697-2025 - 1 - IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 139-2 CRM-M-71697-2025 Decided on : 24.03.2026 Karanpreet Singh @ Kittu . . . Petitioner(s) Versus State of Punjab . . . Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH PRESENT: Mr. Navjot Singh, Advocate for the petitioner(s). Mr. Manjinder S. Bhullar, DAG, 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 Karanpreet Singh @ Kittu 137 07.08.2021 307, 324, 341, 148, 149, 109 of IPC, 1860 [S. 302 of IPC was added subsequently vide DDR No.3, dated 08.08.2021] Shahkot Jalandhar Rural 2. Incident in question took place on 06.08.2021 at about 5:00 PM and the FIR was registered on 07.08.2021 at the instance of Goldy, mother of the deceased Rohit Singh. As per the allegations in the FIR, six accused were named and their roles are detailed as under:- Sr. No. Name Role i. Rahul Kalyan @ Armed with datar. Hit on front side of JAWALA RAM 2026.03.25 21:08 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CRM-M-71697-2025 - 2 - Kalu head of deceased Rohit Singh. ii. Rahul @ Gopi Armed with datar. Hit back side of the head of deceased Rohit Singh. iii. Suraj Haldi Armed with sword. Gave blows in stomach of the deceased Rohit Singh. iv. Manga Mattu Not armed. Raised lalkara to teach lesson to the deceased Rohit Singh. v. Balwinder Singh @ Rinku Mattu Armed with datar. Gave blow on right wrist of the deceased Rohit Singh. vi. Karanpreet Singh @ Kittu (petitioner herein) Armed with sword. Gave reverse sword blows Rohit Singh. After completion of investigation, accused Rahul Kalyan @ Kalu, Suraj Haldi, Manga Mattu, Balwinder Singh @ Rinku Mattu and the present petitioner – Karanpreet Singh @ Kittu were declared innocent. However, by adding two other accused, namely Sanju @ Dhol and Inderpal Singh @ Raja, three accused were challaned, namely Rahul @ Gopi, Sanju @ Dhol and Inderpal Singh @ Raja. 3. By referring to Annexures P-3 to P-5 appended with the present petition, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that co-accused Sanju @ Dhol, Manga Mattu and others, as well as Inderpal Singh @ Raja, have already been granted concession of regular bail by Coordinate Benches of this Court vide orders dated 08.11.2023, 27.07.2023 and 09.10.2023 respectively. 4. It is further submitted that even co-accused Rahul Kalyan @ Kalu, who as per the FIR had allegedly inflicted a datar blow on the head of the deceased, has also been granted regular bail by this Court along with other co-accused. Thus, it is contended that all the co-accused, except the present petitioner, have already been granted bail. 5. On the strength of the aforesaid submissions, it is argued that the petitioner, who has been summoned by the trial Court by invoking JAWALA RAM 2026.03.25 21:08 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CRM-M-71697-2025 - 3 - powers under Section 319 Cr.P.C., also deserves the concession of regular bail on the ground of parity. 6. Heard. 7. Vide order dated 21.03.2023, the petitioner was summoned under Section 319 Cr.P.C. and thereafter, he is inside the jail since May, 2023. It is an admitted position that co-accused, namely (i) Suraj Haldi, (ii) Manga Mattu, (iii) Balwinder Singh @ Rinku Mattu and (iv) Rahul Kalyan @ Kalu, have already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 27.07.2023 passed in CRM-M-22109-2023. Qua present petitioner, it is also an admitted position that though he was named in the FIR with a specific role, however, during investigation no evidence was found against him and he was accordingly declared innocent by the Investigating Agency. 8. At present, the petitioner is inside the jail for more than a period of 02 years and 08 months. It is further noticed that out of a total of 26 prosecution witnesses, only 04 witnesses have been examined so far, which shows that the trial is progressing at a slow pace. In the entirety of the facts and circumstances, as noticed here- above, particularly considering the principle of parity, the fact that the petitioner was declared innocent during investigation, the period of incarceration already undergone, and the stage of trial, this Court does not find any substantial reason to continue with the detention of the petitioner inside the jail. Accordingly, prayer made in the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail, subject to his furnishing JAWALA RAM 2026.03.25 21:08 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CRM-M-71697-2025 - 4 - 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. 9. Needless to observe that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly. 10. Any of the discussion done and recorded here above, shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case. Therefore, trial Court is expected to decide the case by taking an independent view, on the basis of evidence available on record, as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with law. 11. Petition stands disposed of. Misc. application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE March 24, 2026 J.Ram Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No JAWALA RAM 2026.03.25 21:08 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document