216 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-9232-2026 Date of Decision:15.07.2026 Balwant Singh @ Bant …Petitioner Vs. State of Punjab …Respondent Coram : Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.S.Shekhawat Present : Mr. Naveen Bawa, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Amit Rana, Sr. DAG, Punjab. *** N.S.Shekhawat J. (Oral) 1. The petitioner has filed the present petition under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 with a prayer to grant regular bail to him in case FIR No.08, dated 09.01.2025, registered under Section 109 of B.N.S (307 of IPC), 3(5) of B.N.S (34 of IPC) and Sections 25,27 of Arms Act {Sections 324 of B.N.S and Section 201 of IPC added later on} at Police Station City Tarn Taran, District Tarn Taran. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner was not even present at the place of occurrence nor had participated in the alleged crime. Even, as per the contents of the F.I.R (Annexure P-1), no specific injury has been attributed to the present petitioner and only general allegations have been levelled against the petitioner and other co-accused. Apart from that, the injuries suffered by complainant were declared to be grievous in nature and the offence under Section 109 of B.N.S (307 of IPC) was wrongly added. Even, HITESH 2026.07.15 16:47 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document/judgment High Court, Chandigarh CRM-M-9232-2026 -2 there was no motive on the part of the petitioner to commit the crime. Learned counsel further submits that even though three more FIRs were ordered to be registered against him, but he is on bail in all three cases. The police had presented the challan against the petitioner on 06.06.2025 and since then, no prosecution witnesses have been examined so far. Thus, every attempt has been made to delay the trial before the Trial Court. 3. On the other hand, learned State counsel has vehemently opposed the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioner on the ground that three more FIRs were ordered to be registered against the petitioner and the present petition deserves to be dismissed by this Court. 4. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the record carefully. 5. It is not in dispute that the petitioner is in custody in the present case for the last more than one year and four months. The investigation has already been completed and challan has been presented against the present petitioner and his co-accused, however, no witness has been examined so far. Thus, the trial may not conclude in near future and further custody of the petitioner will not serve any meaningful purpose. 6. Without commenting on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on her furnishing bail bonds and surety to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court/ Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate subject to the following conditions:- (i) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case, so as to dissuade him to disclose such facts to the Court or to any other authority. HITESH 2026.07.15 16:47 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document/judgment High Court, Chandigarh CRM-M-9232-2026 -3 (ii) The petitioner shall remain present before the Court on the dates fixed for hearing of the case. (iii) The petitioner shall not absent himself from the Court proceedings except on the prior permission of the Court concerned. (iv) The petitioner shall surrender his passport, if any, (if already not surrendered), and in case he is not holder of the same, he shall swear an affidavit to that effect. (v) The petitioner shall also file his affidavit before the concerned Court, mentioning his ordinary place of residence and number of mobile phone, which shall be used by him during the pendency of the trial. In case of change of place of residence/mobile number, he shall share the details with the concerned Court/learned Trial Court. (vi) In case, the petitioner is involved in any other criminal activity, during the pendency of the trial, it shall be viewed seriously. (vii) The concerned Court may insist on two heavy local sureties and may also impose any other condition, in accordance with law, while accepting the bails bonds and surety bonds of the petitioner. 7. In case, the petitioner violates any of the conditions mentioned above, it shall be viewed seriously and the concession of bail granted to him shall be liable to be cancelled and the prosecution shall be at liberty to move an application in this regard. (N.S.SHEKHAWAT) 15.07.2026 JUDGE hitesh Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No HITESH 2026.07.15 16:47 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document/judgment High Court, Chandigarh