CRM-M-22303-2026 -1- (210A) IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-22303-2026 Date of Decision: 08.07.2026 JASWINDER SINGH ... Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASJIT SINGH BEDI Present: Mr.P.S. Sekhon, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Parvinder Singh, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Attar Ahmed, DAG, Punjab. **** JASJIT SINGH BEDI, J. The prayer in the present petition under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 is for the grant of regular bail in case bearing FIR No.25 dated 09.03.2026 registered under Sections 109, 61(2), 48 of BNS, 2023 (corresponding Sections 307, 120B, 108A of IPC) and Sections 25, 27 of Arms Act at Police Station City Banga, District SBS Nagar. 2. The present FIR came to be registered at the instance of Dr. Onkar Singh S/o Charan and the same reads as under:- “Statement of Dr. Onkar Singh, son of Charan, resident of Mukandpur Road, near Punian Phatak, Banga, P.S. City Banga, District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, age approx. 56 years, mobile no. 98140-58668. It is stated that I am a resident of the aforesaid address and run Mahindra Hospital at Mukandpur Road, Banga. On 03-03-2026, I was present at my hospital and was checking patients, at about 11:30 AM, I received a phone call on my mobile JITESH LAL 2026.07.08 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-22303-2026 -2- number 98140-58668 from mobile number +30-69315-30341, and I was given death threats and a demand for 50 lakh rupees was made, regarding which I had registered Case No. 23 dated 07-03-2026 U/S 308(4), 351(3) at P.S. City Banga. Then yesterday, on 08-03- 2026, I again received a call on my mobile number 98140-58668 from phone number +30-6931529701, and the caller said that he was Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu, resident of Kukar Majara, speaking, and that regarding the 50 lakh rupees you were told to give, deliver half of that amount to the house of my father-in-law Jaswinder Singh and my mother-in-law Kulvir Kaur, residents of Sahungra and half of that amount to my mother Jaswinder Kaur resident of Kukkar Majara. If you do not give the money, I will shoot you dead or get you killed. When I expressed my inability to pay the demanded amount, Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu, resident of Kukkar Majra, said, 'We will show you a trailer.' Thereupon, I became very frightened and, due to fear, I did not disclose this matter to you. Today in the morning, while I was present at my hospital, at about 06:27 AM, I heard the sound of gunshots at my hospital. Upon this, I checked the CCTV camera footage installed in the hospital, and on viewing the footage, it came to light that two unknown persons, riding a motorcycle, came from the side of Poonian Phatak, and the person sitting on the pillion seat fired at my hospital from the moving motorcycle with the intention to kill. After firing, they fled towards the side of Banga city. Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu, resident of Kukkar Majra, who is presently abroad, has got this attack carried out through the said two unknown persons with the intention to kill me, as I had expressed my inability to pay the demanded extortion amount. Legal action be taken against Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu, his mother Jaswinder Kaur, resident of Kukkar Majra, his father-in-law Jaswinder Singh and mother-in-law Kulvir Kaur, residents of Sahungra, involved in the above occurrence and the two unknown persons riding the motorcycle. My life and property be protected. I have got my JITESH LAL 2026.07.08 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-22303-2026 -3- statement recorded, read over and heard, and it is correct. Sd/- Onkar Singh Singh.” 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner is estranged from his son-in-law Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu as the daughter of the petitioner married the said Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu against the wishes of the petitioner and his wife Kulvir Kaur. The petitioner has not received any ransom amount from the complainant. He also has clean antecedents with no other case registered against him. As the petitioner is in custody since 09.03.2026 but none of the 14 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far, the Trial of the present case is not likely to be concluded anytime soon and therefore, he is entitled to the concession of bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel contends that as per the allegations levelled in the FIR, Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu attempted to extort money from the complainant stating that the amount of Rs.50,00,000/- was to be paid to the petitioner and one Jaswinder Kaur who happens to be the mother of Jaspreet Singh alias Kannu. The nature of the allegations levelled against the petitioner do not entitle him to the concession of bail. He, however, concedes that the petitioner is in custody since 09.03.2026 but none of the 14 of the prosecution witnesses has been examined so far. 5. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties. 6. The veracity of the prosecution case against the petitioner and his co-accused shall be adjudicated upon during the course of the Trial. Admittedly, the petitioner is a first-time offender, in custody since 09.03.2026 but none of the 10 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far. Therefore, JITESH LAL 2026.07.08 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-22303-2026 -4- the Trial of the present case is not likely to be concluded anytime soon. In this situation the further incarceration of the petitioner is not required. 7. Thus without commenting on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed and the petitioner-Jaswinder Singh S/o Harjit Singh is ordered to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of learned CJM/Duty Magistrate, concerned. 8. The petitioner shall appear before the police station concerned on the first Monday of every month till the conclusion of the Trial and inform in writing each time that he is not involved in any other crime other than the present case. 9. If the petitioner or his family members/associates make any attempt to contact/threaten/intimidate the witnesses in the present case, the State would be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of bail granted vide this order. 10. In addition, the petitioner (or anyone on his behalf) shall prepare an FDR in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- and deposit the same with the Trial Court. The same would be liable to be forfeited as per law in case of the absence of the petitioner from the trial without sufficient cause. 11. The petition stands disposed of. (JASJIT SINGH BEDI) JUDGE 08.07.2026 JITESH Whether speaking/reasoned:- Yes/No Whether reportable:- Yes/No JITESH LAL 2026.07.08 17:10 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document