CRM-M-35493-2026 (O&M) 1 243 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-35493-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision: 09.07.2026 PRABJIT SINGH @ PABBA ... PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ... RESPONDENT CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.S.GREWAL Present:- Mr. Onkar Rai, Advocate for the petitioner. H.S. GREWAL, J. (ORAL) 1. This is the second petition seeking regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (Section 439 Cr.P.C.) in FIR No.146, Dated 27.08.2025 Under Sections 308(5)/386, 351(3)/506, 61(2)/120-B of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023/Indian Penal Code 1860 and U/s 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 (added later vide DDR No. 37 dated 27.08.2025), Police Station Sadar Nakodar, District Jalandhar. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the FIR was registered on the statement of Gurpreet Singh, alleging that one Prince, along with his mother and sister had lured away his minor daughter with the intention of marriage. On the statement of wife of the complainant an FIR No.100 dated 15.06.2025 under Sections 137(2), 96, 61(2), 64(2) of BNS was registered at Police Station Sadar Nakodar and it was further alleged that after the girl's return, offences under Section 64(2) of the BNS and Section 6 of the POCSO Act were added on the allegation that the Prince had established physical relations with her. Subsequently, it was alleged that Prince again JANKI BHATT 2026.07.10 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document High Court Chandigarh CRM-M-35493-2026 (O&M) 2 eloped with the girl and, in furtherance thereof, petitioner along with the co- accused gave ₹ ransom calls demanding 3 lakh to the complainant and ₹ complainant had earlier deposited 10,000/- in an account provided by the callers. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. Co-accused Gurminder Pal @ Prince has already been granted bail by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court vide order dated 26.05.2026 passed in CRM-M-28812- 2026 and Sukhdeep Singh @ Shera has been granted bail by the learned trial Court vide order dated 05.06.2026. He further submits that the petitioner is in custody for the last 10 months and 06 days. He, thus, prays for grant of bail to the petitioner. 4. Notice of motion. 5. Mr. Subhash Godara, Addl. A.G., Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the State and has vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of regular bail to the petitioner on the ground of gravity of allegations. Learned State counsel has filed the custody certificate in Court, which is taken on record. He further submits that as per the custody certificate, the petitioner is in custody for the last 10 months and 06 days. 6. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. 7. After hearing the rival contentions of the learned counsel for the parties and keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case that the co-accused have already been granted bail by the Co-Ordinate Bench of this Court and the learned trial Court; petitioner is in custody for the last 10 months and 06 days; conclusion of trial is likely to take time and continuous JANKI BHATT 2026.07.10 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document High Court Chandigarh CRM-M-35493-2026 (O&M) 3 detention of the petitioner would not serve the ends of justice, this Court deems it fit to grant the concession of regular bail to the petitioner during the pendency of the trial. Moreover, ‘bail is the rule and jail is the exception’. 8. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the instant petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing requisite bail bonds, surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned. 10. Nothing discussed hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 11. It is clarified that while on bail so granted through the instant order, if the petitioner is found indulging in any other criminal case, it shall be open to the State to seek cancellation of his bail. 12. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. (H.S.GREWAL) 09.07.2026 JUDGE Janki Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No JANKI BHATT 2026.07.10 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document High Court Chandigarh