CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) & Ors. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 208 CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) Date of decision: 10.07.2026 Gobind Singh @ Gobinda … Petitioner Versus State of Punjab … Respondent 208(2) CRM-M-22182-2026(O&M) Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan … Petitioner Versus State of Punjab … Respondent 213 CRM-M-25339-2026(O&M) Akashdeep Singh @ Bunty … Petitioner Versus State of Punjab … Respondent 213(2) CRM-M-25444-2026(O&M) Varinder Singh @ Bindu … Petitioner Versus State of Punjab … Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Ruhani Chadha, Advocate,for the petitioner(s). Mr. M.S. Bhullar, DAG, Punjab. *** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (ORAL) 1. By way of this common order, all petitions, i.e. CRM-M- 16661-2026(O&M); CRM-M-22182-2026(O&M); CRM-M-25339-2026 (O&M); and CRM-M-25444-2026(O&M) shall stand disposed of. RAJAN 2026.07.13 19:42 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) & Ors. 2 2. The instant petitions have been filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 439 Cr.P.C.), for grant of regular bail to the petitioners, during the pendency of trial, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed hereunder:- Name of Petitioner(s) FIR No. Date Section(s) Police Station District (i) Gobind Singh @ Gobinda, aged 31 years (ii) Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, aged 24 yeas (iii) Akashdeep Singh @ Bunty, aged 33 years (iv) Varinder Singh @ Bindu, aged 30 years 16 21.01.2023 21(b), 25, 27-A, 29 of NDPS Act, Section 25 of Arms Act and Section 111 of BNS, 2023 Sadar Tarn Taran Tarn Taran, Punjab 3. The present FIR has been registered on the statement of complainant, ASI Manjinder Singh wherein it has stated that on 21.01.2026, he was on patrol alongwith fellow police officials. When police party reached near bridge drain Kamalpur, he received secret information that Navdeep Singh alias Naibi son of Manjit Singh, who is currently lodged at the Goindwal jail, had formed a syndicate for the supply of illegal arms and heroin. His alleged co-conspirators included:- Akashdeep Singh alias Bunty Kanda son of Harjinder Singh, Rahulpreet Singh son of Harjinder Singh (both are brothers and works as goldsmith), Varinder Singh alias Bindu and mother of Navdeep Singh alias Naibi, namely, Simarjeet Kaur wife of Late Manjit Singh. Navdeep Singh alias Naibi runs the aforesaid illegal business from jail through whatsapp call from mobile and the above-named these persons pick up the illegal arms, ammunition and contraband from the prescribed places and supply it further to customers. The money received RAJAN 2026.07.13 19:42 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) & Ors. 3 from the said illegal business is being adjusted in the business money of goldsmith brothers namely Akashdeep Singh and Rahulpreet Singh as named above. That money is further forwarded through hawala after the deduction of respective shares of the persons who have played role in the smuggling. Informer further told that on the said day, all these persons were going Bhikhiwind to Sabaspur, Tarn Taran etc. on one white coloured Creta car bearing registration number PB 06-BE-7500 and if picket were laid, they could be caught red handed. Finding the information reliable, barricading was done. After 10/15 minutes, one Creta car of aforesaid number came from the side of Bhikhiwind with two persons siting in it. On seeing the police party in uniform, the person, who was driving the car, tried to turn it, but ignition stalled. Then driver of the car immediately threw one polythene packet towards his right side from the window of the car, but both were nabbed by police team. Upon checking of the discarded polythene, 30 grams of heroin alongwith drug money of Rs.60,000/-, was recovered. The person who had thrown the polythene packet disclosed his name as Akashdeep Singh alias Bunty Kanda. From the personal search of accused Akashdeep Singh, one pistol .32 bore alongwith two live cartridges were also recovered. During the personal search of another accused/applicant Rahulpreet Singh, one pistol .32 bore alongwith two live cartridges, was recovered. None of the accused persons could produce any license for carrying the said pistols as well as heroin. Above said accused persons were found with unlicensed pistols and 4 live cartridges, drug money of Rs.60,000/- alongwith 30 grams of heroin, so police proceedings were initiated. RAJAN 2026.07.13 19:42 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) & Ors. 4 4. Broadly, as per allegations, from polythene bag thrown by accused-Akashdeep Singh, 30 grams Heroin alongwith drug money of Rs.60,000/- was recovered. On personal search of accused-Akashdeep Singh, one pistol .32 bore and 02 live cartridges were recovered and when his other co-accused Rahulpreet was searched, another pistol of .32 bore and 02 live cartridges were recovered. Subsequently, from the disclosure statement of both the accused, petitioner(s) was also involved in the case. Subsequently, on the basis of disclosure statement of Rahulpreet Singh, two more accused namely Virender Singh and Navdeep Singh were involved as accused, however, nothing was recovered from their possession. When accused Navdeep Singh was arrested, on the basis of another disclosure statement, petitioner-Gobind Singh @ Gobinda and Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan were made accused. However, from their possession no narcotic contraband was recovered. 5. The relevant part of the order dated 30.04.2026, passed by this Court, is also reproduced as under:- “… Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that both the petitioners are real brothers and without there being any substance involved in the case, both of them are inside jail for the last more than a period of 03 months and 02 days. He further submits that at the time of making disclosure statement, even the accused Navdeep Singh @ Noby was inside Central Jail, Goindwal. 4. To falsify the allegations, learned counsel for the petitioner reiterates his submission that allegation against the co-accused Navdeep Singh @ Noby is that he is running a syndicate of drugs and narcotics contraband/substance dealer, of which petitioner is one of the member and accused-Navdeep Singh @ Noby used to RAJAN 2026.07.13 19:42 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) & Ors. 5 dial from his mobile No. 71581134717, while sitting inside jail to the petitioner at his mobile number. In this regard, clarification was sought from the State by recording the submissions on 02.04.2026, however, no such information is provided even today. 5. Considering the facts as narrated and the role alleged against the petitioners namely, Gobind Singh @ Gobinda (petitioner in CRM-M-16661-2026) and Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan (petitioner in CRM-M-22182- 2026) are ordered to be released on interim bail, subject to their furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. List again on 10.07.2026. Learned State counsel is again directed to comply with the directions issued by this Court vide order dated 02.04.2026.” 6. As per the facts and allegations discussed hereabove, case of the prosecution is that though there are total 07 accused in the case but as far as narcotic contraband is concerned, there is recovery of only 30 grams of heroin and alleged drug money of Rs.60,000/-, which was in possession of accused Akashdeep Singh, and the weapon were recovered from Akashdeep Singh and Rahulpreet Singh. Another set of recovery from accused Akashdeep Singh is of one .32 bore pistol and 02 live cartridges. From the second accused accompanying the accused Akashdeep Singh, no narcotic contraband was recovered. However, another .32 bore pistol along with 02 live cartridges was recovered at his instance. Thus, from the details mentioned above, it is also clear that neither any weapon nor any drug money or even any narcotic RAJAN 2026.07.13 19:42 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) & Ors. 6 contraband could be recovered from the accused, namely, Gobind Singh @ Gobinda, Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, Akashdeep Singh @ Bunty, Varinder Singh @ Bindu, and Rahulpreet Singh @ Rahul Kanda, They were involved as accused in the present case only on the basis of disclosure statement(s) of co-accused. It is also noticed that quality of the standard of such evidence is doubted by the Hon’ble Apex Court and this Court too on several occasions. However, in the proceedings of the present case, this Court is neither expected of nor so required to make any comment over the same. Accused Gobind Singh @ Gobinda and Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan were released on interim bail. However, there is no allegation of misusing the interim concession granted to them. 7. In view of the aforementioned discussion and considering the stage of trial that no evidence is recorded till date, this Court deems it appropriate not to prolong the incarceration of the petitioners any further. 8. Accordingly, prayer made in the present petition is allowed. Petitioners, namely, Gobind Singh @ Gobinda, Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, Akashdeep Singh @ Bunty and Varinder Singh @ Bindu are ordered to be released on bail, subject to their furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/ Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. 9. Needless to observe that the petitioners shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly. 10. Any of the discussion done and recorded here above, shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case. Therefore, RAJAN 2026.07.13 19:42 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-16661-2026(O&M) & Ors. 7 trial Court is expected to decide the case by taking an independent view, on the basis of evidence available on record, as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with law. 11. Petitions stand disposed of. 12. Photocopy of this order be placed on the files of the other connected cases. ( Sanjay Vashisth ) Judge 10.07.2026 Rajan Whether speaking / reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No RAJAN 2026.07.13 19:42 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document