CRM-M-50093-2024 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 313 CRM-M-50093-2024 (O&M) Date of decision: 11.07.2025 Manjit Singh ...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present:- Mr. Mikhail Kad, Advocate for the petitioner. (Through VC) Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab. MANISHA BATRA, J. (Oral) 1. Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, is for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in FIR No. 12 dated 31.01.2024, registered under Sections 22 and 29 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short ‘NDPS Act’) at Police Station Lehra, District Sangrur. 2. Brief facts of the case relevant for the disposal of the present petition are that on 31.01.2024, co-accused Darshan Singh @ Jai Gopal was apprehended by a police party and recovery of 2500 tablets of Alprazolam was effected from him. Upon interrogation, he disclosed that the recovered tablets were purchased from the present petitioner for Rs.7,000/-. On the basis of the same, the petitioner was nominated in this case as an accused and was arrested on 01.02.2024. He disclosed that he used to purchase the intoxicating tablets from Haryana. After completion of necessary MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2025.07.14 10:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-50093-2024 (O&M) -2- investigation and usual formalities, challan was presented in the Court and presently, the petitioner along with the co-accused is facing trial for commission of aforementioned offences. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that he has been falsely implicated in this case. He was neither named in the FIR nor was found at the spot. He has been nominated in this case on the basis of the disclosure statement suffered by the above named co-accused, which is not admissible in evidence. The petitioner is not involved in any other case under the NDPS Act. No subsequent recovery has been effected from him. Even otherwise, investigation stands completed and challan has been filed. Conclusion of trial is likely to take time. The petitioner is in custody since 01.02.2024. No useful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody anymore. Therefore, it is urged that the petition deserves to be allowed and the petitioner deserves to be released on regular bail. 4. Status report has been filed by the respondent-State. It is submitted therein and learned Assistant Advocate General, Punjab has argued that the petitioner is not entitled to get benefit of bail as there are serious allegations against him. He used to sell intoxicating drugs to the co- accused. Although, he has been nominated in this case on the basis of the disclosure statement suffered by the co-accused but during the course of investigation, his complicity has been established in this case. Trial is going on at a proper pace. Hence, it is urged that the petition is liable to be dismissed. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties at considerable length and have also perused the material placed on record. MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2025.07.14 10:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-50093-2024 (O&M) -3- 6. The petitioner has been nominated in this case on the basis of the disclosure statement suffered by the co-accused. He is in custody since 01.02.2024. No subsequent recovery is shown to have been effected from him. He is not involved in any other case under the NDPS Act. Investigation stands completed and challan stands presented. Trial is likely to take time. Keeping in view the aforesaid facts, I am of the considered opinion that no useful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody anymore. Accordingly, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to his furnishing personal/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned. However, it will be open for the prosecution to apply for cancellation of bail in case the petitioner is found involved in any other subsequent case. 7. It is made clear that any observation made herein above is only for the purpose of deciding the present petition and the same shall have no bearing on the merits of the case. 8. This order shall come into force from the time it is uploaded on this Court’s official webpage. 11.07.2025 (MANISHA BATRA) Waseem Ansari Waseem Ansari Waseem Ansari Waseem Ansari JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2025.07.14 10:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document