CRM-M-36341-2026 ::1:: IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH (245) CRM-M-36341-2026 Date of decision: 13.07.2026 RAKESH KUMAR ALIAS MADDI .... Petitioner VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE JASJIT SINGH BEDI Present: Mr. Rahul Kadian, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Adeshwar S. Pannu, AAG, Punjab. ***** JASJIT SINGH BEDI, J. (Oral) The prayer in this third petition under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) is for the grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.88 dated 12.03.2025 registered under Sections 111(3), 111(4), 111(5) of BNS and Section 25 of Arms Act, Police Station City Kharar, District SAS Nagar. 2. The present FIR came to be registered at the instance of the investigating agency and reads as under:- 1. “Copy of the complaint: SHO, Police Station City Kharar, today, I, ASI along with ASI Karanvir Singh no. 2278/ SAS, HC Harpreet Singh 1178/SAS, HC Gurbaj Singh no. 2072/SAS and S/CT. Harpreet Singh no. 297/SAS Nagar riding Government Vehicle bearing registration no. PB 65 AH 3661 in connection with search and checking of suspicious persons were present near Christian School, Kharar. Then the time would be around 09.00 PM when an informer came near to ASI and informed a secret information that Rakesh Kumar alias Maddi son of Baldev Singh, who is a resident of Bedi Nagar, KUSUM 2026.07.14 11:45 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC Chandigarh CRM-M-36341-2026 ::2:: Moga, against whom cases have already been registered. Who has illegal weapons, Rakesh Kumar alias Maddi is associated with Devinder Pal Singh alias Gopi Lahoria son of Sukhmander Singh, agent of Bambiha Group, resident of Moga who is currently living abroad and is involved in gangster activities. He collects the extortion money demanded by him from common people from different districts of Punjab by threatening to kill them and on the instructions of gangster Devinder Pal Singh, he provides shelter and facilities to the fugitive gang members of the Bambiha Group at the locations mentioned by him. Many other fellow of Rakesh Kumar alias Maddi are also involved in collecting the extortion money and settling the same. Rakesh Kumar alias Maddi has been occupying Flat no. 15A, Ground Floor, Shivalik Homes, Shivalik city, Landran Road, Kharar for a long time. If immediately a raid is conducted on Rakesh Kumar alias Maddi now, he can be caught along with illegal weapons and the extortion money obtained by Devinder Pal Singh alias Gopi Lahoria can be recovered. The information is reliable and trustworthy. Rakesh Kumar alias Maddi in connivance with his fellow Devinder pal Singh alias Gopi Lahoria, had committed offence for keeping illegal weapons with him under Section 111(3), 111(4), 111(5) of BNS and 25 of Arms Act. After writing complaint against the above mentioned person under above mentioned sections, the same is being sent to the police station by hand through S/CT. Harpreet Singh no. 297/SAS. After registering FIR, number should be issued to the case. Information should be given to control room. I, ASI is busy in investigating. In the area Near Christian School, time: 09.30 PM. Sd/- Gurdeep Singh, ASI, CIA Staff, District SAS Nagar. Dated 12.03.2025.” 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case merely on account of his alleged association with one Devinderpal Singh @ Gopi Lahoriya, with whom the petitioner is a co-accused in FIR No.253 dated 07.12.2022 KUSUM 2026.07.14 11:45 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC Chandigarh CRM-M-36341-2026 ::3:: under Section 25, 54, 59 of Arms Act, Police Station City South Moga. The allegation that he used to work on the directions of the Bambiha Gang is also baseless as there is no evidence to suggest the same. As the petitioner is in custody since 12.03.2025 but none of of the 11 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 when the petitioner was arrested in the present case, the recovery of .32 bore pistol along with bullets was effected from him. During the course of the investigation, it has been revealed that the petitioner is an active member of a gang led by Devinderpal Singh @ Gopi Lahoriya and also harbours persons belonging to the Bambiha Gang. On his arrest, the recovery of .32 bore pistol along with two live cartridges was effected from him. The nature of the allegations levelled against the petitioner do not entitle him to the concession of bail. 5. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties. 6. As per the secret information, the petitioner is alleged to be associated with the Devinderpal Singh @ Gopi Lahoriya Gang and to work for the Bambiha Gang as well. He is an accused in another case arising out of FIR No.253 dated 07.12.2022 under Sections 25, 54, 59 of Arms Act, Police Station City South Moga in which Devinderpal Singh @ Gopi Lahoriya is a co-accused. When he was arrested in the present case, the recovery of an illegal weapon was effected from him. Apparently, the KUSUM 2026.07.14 11:45 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC Chandigarh CRM-M-36341-2026 ::4:: allegations levelled against the petitioner are grave, he being a member of gangs. 7. Keeping in view the aforementioned facts and circumstances, I find no merit in the present case and the same stands dismissed. 8. The pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of accordingly. ( JASJIT SINGH BEDI) JUDGE 13.07.2026 kusum Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No KUSUM 2026.07.14 11:45 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC Chandigarh