CRM CRM CRM CRM----M M M M----4515 4515 4515 4515----2026 2026 2026 2026 118 (1 118 (1 118 (1 118 (1stststst case) case) case) case) IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT Harpreet Singh @ Akash State of Punjab Date of Date of Date of Date of Decision Decision Decision Decision Date of Uploading: Date of Uploading: Date of Uploading: Date of Uploading: CORAM: CORAM: CORAM: CORAM: Present: Present: Present: Present:- SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL 2023 seeking 19.08.2025, registered under Sections BNS, 2023 and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, at Police Station Sohana 2. Saravpreet Singh, received a WhatsApp call from an international number. The caller identified himself as Lucky Patial and demanded extortion, threatening harm to him and his family in case of non 2026 2026 2026 2026 case) case) case) case) IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CHANDIGARH CHANDIGARH CHANDIGARH CRM CRM CRM CRM----M M M M----4515 4515 4515 4515----2026 2026 2026 2026 Harpreet Singh @ Akash Versus Punjab Decision Decision Decision Decision: : : : April 23 April 23 April 23 April 23, 2026 , 2026 , 2026 , 2026 Date of Uploading: Date of Uploading: Date of Uploading: Date of Uploading: April 23 April 23 April 23 April 23, 2026 , 2026 , 2026 , 2026 HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Mr. Judgepreet Singh Warring, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Adhiraj Singh Thind, AAG Punjab. Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu, Senior Advocate with Mr. Gursher Singh Dhillon, Advocate and Mr. Harlove Singh Rajput, Advocate for the complainant. ***** ***** ***** ***** SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL) , J. (ORAL) , J. (ORAL) , J. (ORAL) Present petition has been filed under Section seeking grant of regular bail to the petitioner , registered under Sections 109(1), 308(5), 324 and 351(3) of the BNS, 2023 and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, at Police Station Sohana The gravamen of the FIR in question is that Saravpreet Singh, received a WhatsApp call from an international number. The caller identified himself as Lucky Patial and demanded extortion, threatening harm to him and his family in case of non 1111 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CHANDIGARH CHANDIGARH CHANDIGARH 2026 2026 2026 2026 ….Petitioner …Respondent HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Mr. Judgepreet Singh Warring, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Adhiraj Singh Thind, AAG Punjab. Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu, Senior Advocate with Mr. Gursher Singh Dhillon, Advocate and Mr. Harlove Singh Rajput, Advocate for the complainant. has been filed under Section 483 of the BNSS, grant of regular bail to the petitioner, in case FIR No.213 dated 109(1), 308(5), 324 and 351(3) of the BNS, 2023 and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, at Police Station Sohana. FIR in question is that on 31.07.2025, Saravpreet Singh, received a WhatsApp call from an international number. The caller identified himself as Lucky Patial and demanded ₹50 lakhs as extortion, threatening harm to him and his family in case of non-payment. 1111 ….Petitioner …Respondent 483 of the BNSS, dated 109(1), 308(5), 324 and 351(3) of the on 31.07.2025, Saravpreet Singh, received a WhatsApp call from an international number. 50 lakhs as payment. MAHAVIR SINGH 2026.04.23 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/ judgment 2222 CRM CRM CRM CRM----M M M M----4515 4515 4515 4515----2026 2026 2026 2026 Following this, Saravpreet Singh lodged a complaint with the SSP, Mohali, and an inquiry was initiated by the CIA Staff, Mohali. Subsequently, on 19.08.2025 at approximately 4:45 AM, while he was asleep at his residence, he heard gunshots fired at the main gate. Upon looking outside, he observed two individuals with cropped hair standing near a motorcycle. The pillion rider was holding a pistol. He stated that he would be able to identify the assailants if presented before him. When he stepped outside the gate, he noticed that a Verna car bearing registration number PB-11-DC-4621 had sustained 4–5 bullet marks and was damaged. The assailants had fired shots with the intention to kill him. He believes that the said incident was orchestrated by Lucky Patial. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is in custody since 29.08.2025. Learned counsel has iterated that the petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question. Learned counsel has submitted that police has now nominated the FIR-complainant as an accused in the case. Learned counsel has further submitted that, though the police has removed Section 109 of the BNS (erstwhile Section 307 of the IPC), it is a case of no injury. Learned counsel has asserted that the petitioner is a man with clean antecedents. Thus, regular bail is prayed for. 4. Learned State counsel has opposed the present petition by arguing that allegations raised against the petitioner are serious in nature and, thus, the petitioner does not deserve the concession of the regular bail. Learned State counsel seeks to place on record the custody certificate dated 21.04.2026, in the Court today, which is taken on record. MAHAVIR SINGH 2026.04.23 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/ judgment 3333 CRM CRM CRM CRM----M M M M----4515 4515 4515 4515----2026 2026 2026 2026 5. I have heard counsel for the parties and have gone through the available records of the case. 6. The petitioner was arrested on 29.08.2025, whereinafter investigation was carried out and challan qua the petitioner stands presented on 24.10.2025. Out of total 27 cited prosecution witnesses, none has been examined till date. It is, thus, indubitable that culmination of trial will take its own time. The rival contentions raised at Bar give rise to debatable issues, which shall essentially be ratiocinated upon during the course of trial. This Court does not deem it appropriate to delve deep into these rival contentions, at this stage, lest it may prejudice the trial. Nothing tangible has been brought forward to indicate the likelihood of the petitioner absconding from the process of justice or interfering with the prosecution evidence. 6.1. As per custody certificate dated 21.04.2026 filed by learned State counsel, the petitioner has already suffered incarceration for a period of 07 months and 18 days, & is not shown to be involved in any other FIR(s). Suffice to say, further detention of the petitioner as an undertrial is not warranted in the facts and circumstances of the case. 7. In view of above, the present petition is allowed allowed allowed allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, if not required in any other case, on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Ld. concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate. However, in addition to conditions that may be imposed by the concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate, the petitioner shall remain bound by the following conditions: (i) The petitioner shall not mis-use the liberty granted. MAHAVIR SINGH 2026.04.23 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/ judgment 4444 CRM CRM CRM CRM----M M M M----4515 4515 4515 4515----2026 2026 2026 2026 (ii) The petitioner shall not tamper with any evidence, oral or documentary, during the trial. (iii) The petitioner shall not absent himself on any date before the trial. (iv) The petitioner shall not commit any offence while on bail. (v) The petitioner shall deposit his passport, if any, with the trial Court. (vi) The petitioner shall give his cellphone number to the Investigating Officer/SHO of concerned Police Station and shall not change his cell-phone number without prior permission of the trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate. (vii) The petitioner shall not in any manner try to delay the trial. 8. In case of breach of any of the aforesaid conditions and those which may be imposed by concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate as directed hereinabove or upon showing any other sufficient cause, the State/complainant shall be at liberty to move cancellation of bail of the petitioner. 9. Ordered accordingly. 10. Nothing said hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 11. Since the main case has been decided, pending miscellaneous application, if any, shall also stands disposed off. ((((SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL SUMEET GOEL)))) JUDGE JUDGE JUDGE JUDGE April 23 April 23 April 23 April 23, 2026 , 2026 , 2026 , 2026 mahavir Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No MAHAVIR SINGH 2026.04.23 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/ judgment 5555 CRM CRM CRM CRM----M M M M----4515 4515 4515 4515----2026 2026 2026 2026 Whether reportable: Yes/No MAHAVIR SINGH 2026.04.23 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/ judgment