IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 271 CRM-M No.32275 of 2025 Date of Decision: 24.07.2025 Sona Singh ... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present: Mr. Rahi Mehra, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Roshandeep Singh, AAG, Punjab, for the respondent-State. *** MANISHA BATRA , J. (Oral) 1. The present petition has been filed by the petitioner under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (For short “BNSS”) seeking regular bail in the FIR mentioned below:- FIR No. Dated Police Station Sections 0003 10.01.2025 Khem Karan, District Tarn Taran 308(4), 324(4), 324(5), 351(1) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (For short “BNS”) and 25 of Arms Act, 1959 2. Brief facts relevant for the purpose of disposal of this petition are that the aforementioned FIR had been registered on the statement of Surjit Singh alleging that he along with his brother Ranjit Singh was running a juice shop. On 06.01.2025, he received a Whatsapp MANJU 2025.07.25 19:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order /judgment Chandigarh CRM-M No.32275 of 2025 -2- call on his phone. On picking up the call, the caller introduced him as foreign based gangster Landa Harike and demanded money from him and then extended threats to him. The complainant switched off his phone. On 07.01.2025, he received another Whatsapp call from a different number but did not respond to the same. On 10.01.2025 at about 7 AM, he was informed that some bullet marks were found on the shutter of his shop. He rushed there and found that apart from bullet marks, a paper containing threatening message in Punjabi language had been pasted on his shop. While alleging that shots were fired at his shop at the instance of the above named Lakhbir Singh @ Landa Harike by his accomplices to demand extortion money from him, he prayed for taking action. 3. After registration of FIR, investigation proceedings were initiated. CCTV footage pertaining to the occurrence had been taken. On 08.02.2025, the brother of the complainant overheard the conversation between the petitioner and co-accused Amarjit Singh and informed the investigating officer. They were nominated as accused and were arrested on the same day. The petitioner was interrogated and suffered disclosure statement to the effect that as per the instructions of the co-accused Lakhbir Singh @ Landa Harike, he along with the co-accused Amarjit Singh was involved in firing incident and the weapons as well as mobile phones used by him at that time had been concealed by him. The co-accused Amarjit Singh was also arrested and suffered disclosure statement. The investigation now stands completed. 4. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has MANJU 2025.07.25 19:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order /judgment Chandigarh CRM-M No.32275 of 2025 -3- been falsely implicated in this case. Nothing incriminating has been recovered from him. No specific role has been attributed to him. The investigation stands completed. Trial will take considerable time to conclude. He is in custody since long. His further incarceration would be of no benefit. He has permanent abode. There are no chances of his absconding. It is, therefore, argued that he deserves to be released on bail. 5. Status report has been filed. Learned Assistant Advocate General, Punjab has argued that keeping in view the gravity of the allegations as levelled against the petitioner, he does not deserve to be extended benefit of bail. It is, therefore, argued that the petition is liable to be dismissed. 6. This Court has considered the rival submissions. 7. The petitioner is alleged to have hatched a conspiracy with the co-accused Lakhbir Singh @ Landa Harike who is a gangster and in pursuance of that conspiracy, is alleged to have fired shots with pistols thereby damaging the shutter of shop of the petitioner. He along with the co- accused is also alleged to have made Whatsapp calls to the complainant to extort money from the complainant while acting at the behest of co-accused. He is alleged to have participated in the act of firing, facilitating communication with the gangster Landa Harike through Whatsapp and is alleged to be involved in delivery of consignments as per the instructions received from the co-accused. All this is alleged to have been done by him with intent to spread fear and panic amongst the public at large including the complainant. The co-accused Landa Harike is yet to be arrested. The MANJU 2025.07.25 19:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order /judgment Chandigarh CRM-M No.32275 of 2025 -4- allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. Keeping in view the gravity thereof, the quantum of sentence which the conviction may entail and the attendant facts and circumstances but without meaning to make any comment on the merits of the case lest the same prejudices the case of either of the parties, this Court is of the considered opinion that the petition does not deserve to be allowed. Accordingly, the same is dismissed. (MANISHA BATRA) 24.07.2025 JUDGE manju Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No MANJU 2025.07.25 19:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order /judgment Chandigarh