CRM-M-48600-2025 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 203 CRM-M-48600-2025 (O&M) Date of decision: 12.09.2025. ARJUN GOLA ...Petitioner(s) VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent(s) CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VINOD S. BHARDWAJ Present :- Mr. Manpreet Kanda, Advocate, (Legal-aid-counsel) for the petitioner. Mr. Mohit Kapoor, Sr. DAG, Punjab. VINOD S. BHARDWAJ, J. (Oral) The present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case bearing FIR No.04 dated 08.01.2025, under Section(s) 42- A of the Prisons Act and Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, registered at Police Station City Gurdaspur, District Gurdaspur. 2 Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner contends that the RAJ KUMAR ARORA 2025.09.12 14:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-48600-2025 (O&M) -2- present case has been registered on the complaint moved by the Superintendent, Central Jail, Gurdaspur alleging that the petitioner was found in possession of 140 intoxicant tablets concealed in his private area after attending the Court hearing at Batala in case bearing No.180 of 2023 registered under Sections 380, 411, 451 and 454 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, registered at Police Station Batala. Counsel for the petitioner further contends that the matter is still pending at the investigation stage as challan has not yet been presented 3 Learned State counsel, on the other hand, on instructions from ASI Jagjit Singh, contends that as per report from the Forensic Science Laboratory, the salt was not an intoxicant salt (narcotic substance or psychotropic drug). He further contends that as per the custody certificate produced on file, the petitioner has been in custody for the last 07 months and 02 days. 4 Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the period of custody of the petitioner; the stage of the investigation; and the absence of intoxicant salt i.e. narcotic substance or psychotropic drug, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his furnishing requisite bail bond/surety bond to the satisfaction of the Trial Court/Duty Magistrate, concerned. 5 It is made clear that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witnesses in any manner directly or indirectly. 6 The observation made hereinabove shall not be construed as an RAJ KUMAR ARORA 2025.09.12 14:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-48600-2025 (O&M) -3- expression on the merits of the case and the trial Court shall decide the case on the basis of available material. September 12, 2025. (VINOD S. BHARDWAJ) raj arora JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No RAJ KUMAR ARORA 2025.09.12 14:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document