CRM-M-28274-2026 -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 240 CRM-M-28274-2026 Date of decision: 8th July, 2026 Inderjit Kaur ...Petitioner Versus Union of India and another ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present: Mr. D.S. Sandhu, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Roshandeep Singh, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab. Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Special Public Prosecutor with Mr. Vinayak Atri, Advocate and Ms. Indu Bala, Advocate for the respondent-NCB. *** MANISHA BATRA, J (ORAL):- The instant one is the second petition filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) by the petitioner seeking grant of regular bail in Crime No. 17 dated 13.08.2024 registered under Sections 8, 22, 23 and 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short, ‘NDPS Act’) at Police Station NCB Chandigarh, Jurisdiction of P.S. Sahnewal, District Ludhiana, Punjab. Her previous petition bearing CRM-M-64906-2025 had been dismissed as withdrawn vide order dated 20.02.2026. 2. Brief facts of the case relevant for the disposal of the present PARVEEN SHARMA 2026.07.09 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-28274-2026 -2- petition are that on 09.08.2024, accused Pritpal Singh, who is brother of the present petitioner had booked a parcel at Ayali Worldwide, Ludhiana for sending the same to one Sarabjit Kaur, who was residing in Canada. However, on a specific information received by the Intelligence Officer of Narcotics Control Bureau, Chandigarh, the said parcel was taken into possession and on opening the same, recovery of 350 intoxicant tablets of Buprenorphine was effected. The same were taken into possession. On the basis of the same, accused Pritpal Singh was nominated as an accused in the aforesaid case and he was arrested on 15.08.2024. During investigation, it was found that the present petitioner and one Jaswinder were in constant touch with the Pritpal Singh over phone as they had exchanged several phone calls during the relevant time and it was the petitioner, on whose instructions, accused Pritpal Singh was sending the said parcel to aforesaid Sarabjit Kaur. Investigation now stands completed. 3. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that she has been falsely implicated in this case. She is in custody for a period of over 01 year and 10 months. After dismissal of her previous petition, however, there has not been much progress in the trial. Each day spent by her in custody has furnished a fresh ground to her to seek the concession of bail. Her prolonged incarceration militates against her fundamental right enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. No useful purpose would be served by detaining her in custody any further. Co-accused Pritpal Singh has been extended the benefit of bail. On the ground of parity, she deserves to be PARVEEN SHARMA 2026.07.09 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-28274-2026 -3- extended the same benefit. It is, thus argued that the petition deserves to be allowed. 4. Per contra, learned Special Public Prosecutor, assisted by learned Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, has argued that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. Recovery of commercial quantity of contraband has been effected from a parcel which co-accused Pritpal Singh, i.e. her brother had booked on her instructions for Sarabjit Kaur, a resident of Canada. The rigors of Section 37 of the NDPS Act would be attracted against her. She is involved in international smuggling of contraband. The trial is going on at a proper pace, as 10 out of 14 prosecution witnesses stand examined. There are chances of the petitioner absconding or indulging in similar offences, if extended the benefit of bail. The case of the petitioner is not at parity with that of the co-accused, since it was on her instructions that accused Pritpal Singh had booked the parcel containing the contraband for Sarabjit Kaur. Moreso, the instant petition, being a successive petition, is not maintainable. It is, thus, argued that the petition does not deserve to be entertained. 5. This Court has heard the rival submissions made by learned counsel for the parties at considerable length. 6. As per the allegations, recovery of 350 intoxicant tablets of Buprenorphine was effected from a parcel which accused Pritpal Singh had booked in the name of Sarabjit Kaur, a resident of Canada. The said parcel is PARVEEN SHARMA 2026.07.09 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-28274-2026 -4- alleged to have been booked as per the instructions of the petitioner. The trial is going on at a proper pace, as most of the prosecution witnesses now stand examined. The allegations against the petitioner are quite serious in nature. Her case cannot be stated to be at parity with that of the co-accused. Taking into consideration the above-discussed facts, the quantity of the recovered contraband, the quantum of sentence which the conviction may entail and the attendant facts and circumstances, this Court is of the considered opinion that the petition does not deserve to be allowed. Accordingly, the same is dismissed. 7. It is clarified that observations made hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 8. Since the main petition has already been disposed of, pending application, if any, is rendered infructuous. [MANISHA BATRA] JUDGE 8th July, 2026 Parveen Sharma 1. Whether speaking/ reasoned : Yes / No 2. Whether reportable : Yes / No PARVEEN SHARMA 2026.07.09 17:28 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document