CRM-M-25723-2026 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 237 CRM-M-25723-2026 (O&M) Date of decision : 15.07.2026 Manpreet Singh ...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present:- Mr. K. S. Nagra, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab. MANISHA BATRA, J. (Oral) 1. Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, is for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in FIR No. 45 dated 20.03.2025, registered under Sections 22 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short ‘NDPS Act’) and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 at Police Station Sadar Hoshiarpur, District Hoshiarpur. 2. Brief facts of the case relevant for the disposal of the present petition are that on 20.03.2025, on the basis of a secret information, co-accused Davinder Singh @ Poki was apprehended by a police party and recovery of 920 intoxicating tablets was effected from his conscious possession. Since he could not produce any valid license or permit to keep in his possession the recovered drugs, he was formally arrested at the spot. Recovery of two country made pistols of .32 bore along with two live cartridges was also effected from him. On interrogation, he disclosed that he had purchased the recovery pistols MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.15 16:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25723-2026 (O&M) -2- and live cartridges from the present petitioner. On the basis of the same, the petitioner was nominated in this case and was arrested in this case on 02.04.2025 by way of issuance of production warrants as he was already in custody in connection with some other case. Investigation now stands completed. 3. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case on the basis of the disclosure statement of the above named co-accused, which cannot be considered to be admissible in evidence. No recovery of any contraband or illegal arms/ammunition was effected from him. He was in fact behind the bars when he was implicated in this case. Investigation has since been completed and challan has been filed. Conclusion of trial would take considerable time. Main accused Davinder Singh @ Poki has already been granted concession of bail by this Court. On parity, he too deserves to be given the same benefit. Although he is involved in some other cases but that alone cannot be made a ground to deny him bail in this case in the given circumstances. No useful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody anymore. Therefore, it is urged that the petition deserves to be allowed and the petitioner deserves to be released on regular bail. 4. Status report along with the custody certificate of the petitioner has been filed by the respondent-State. Learned State counsel has argued that keeping in view the gravity of the allegations levelled against the petitioner as well as his criminal antecedents, he is not entitled to get benefit of bail. It is, thus, argued that the petition is liable to be dismissed. 5. This Court has heard the rival submissions. MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.15 16:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25723-2026 (O&M) -3- 6. The petitioner has been nominated in this case on the basis of the co-accused Davinder Singh @ Poki, who was apprehended by the police party on 20.03.2025 and from whom the aforesaid recovery of contraband and illegal weapons was effected. The said co-accused has already been granted concession of regular bail by this Court. The petitioner has been in custody since 02.04.2025. Investigation has been completed and challan has been filed. Conclusion of trial would take considerable time. Pendency of other cases against the petitioner cannot be considered to be a ground for denying him benefit of bail in given circumstances. Keeping in view the aforesaid facts and circumstances, this Court is of the considered opinion that no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody anymore. Accordingly, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to his furnishing personal/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned. However, it will be open for the prosecution to apply for cancellation of bail in case the petitioner is found involved in any other subsequent case. 7. It is made clear that any observation made herein above is only for the purpose of deciding the present petition and the same shall have no bearing on the merits of the case. 15.07.2026 (MANISHA BATRA) Waseem R. Ansari Waseem R. Ansari Waseem R. Ansari Waseem R. Ansari JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.15 16:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document