CRM-M-23734-2026 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 235 CRM-M-23734-2026 (O&M) Date of decision:14.07.2026 Manpreet Singh @ Mani ... Petitioner Vs. State of Haryana ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present: Mr. P.S. Sekhon, Senior Advocate with Mr. R.S. Gill, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Neeraj Poswal, AAG, Haryana. ... Manisha Batra, J. (Oral). 1. The instant petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) by the petitioner seeking grant of regular bail in case arising out of FIR No.18, dated 19.01.2026, registered under Sections 15-C and 29 of the NDPS Act, at Police Station Kalayat, District Kaithal. 2. As per the allegations, on 19.01.2026, on receipt of secret information to the effect that accused Sukhmandar Singh and Mangat Singh @ Manga were involved in the business of sale of poppy husk and on that very day also, they were bringing the aforementioned contraband in a canter vehicle bearing registration No.PB-04-AF-8119 from Madhya Pradesh and that they could be apprehended, if raid was conducted, a HARJEET KAUR 2026.07.15 10:34 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-23734-2026 (O&M) -2- police party was formed, which reached at the informed place and laid a barricade. The aforementioned vehicle had reached there after sometime. The driver of the same was given signal to stop but he tried to take a reverse turn, however, the same was got stopped by the police officials. On conducting search of the same, 02 bags carrying 73.940 kgs of poppy husk were found kept in the vehicle, which were taken into possession by the police. Accused Mangat Singh @ Manga and Sukhmandar were formally arrested. 3. As per the further allegations, on interrogation, accused Mangat Singh @ Manga suffered disclosure statement to the effect that the recovered contraband had been brought by them on the asking of the present petitioner. The petitioner was nominated as additional accused and was arrested on 23.01.2026. On interrogation, he too suffered disclosure statement admitting his involvement in the crime by submitting that in January, 2026, he had asked accused Mangat Singh @ Manga to bring poppy husk and in lieu thereof, he had sent an amount of Rs.13,000/- through scanner to him and that the remaining amount was to be given on receipt of the contraband. Investigation now stands completed. 4. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case on the basis of disclosure statement of the co-accused, which cannot be considered to be legally admissible in evidence. He is in custody since long. He is not required for further investigation. The trial will take considerable time to conclude. His further incarceration would not serve any useful purpose. His antecedents HARJEET KAUR 2026.07.15 10:34 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-23734-2026 (O&M) -3- are clean. It is, thus, argued that he deserves to be extended the benefit of bail. 5. Per contra, learned State counsel has argued that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. There is digital money trail revealing that the petitioner transferred an amount of Rs.13,000/- and Rs.2000/- respectively through the scanner/QR code provided by co-accused Mangat Singh @ Manga to him on 06.12.2025. This direct transaction of money prima facie establishes his complicity in the crime. That apart, there is history of whatsApp calls and chats between the petitioner and the co-accused Mangat Singh @ Manga. The recovered contraband is of commercial quantity. Rigors of Section 37 of the NDPS Act are attracted in this case. It is, therefore, urged that the petition does not deserve to be allowed. 6. This Court has heard the rival submissions made by learned counsel for the parties. 7. The petitioner is alleged to have been engaged in purchase of contraband from the co-accused Mangat Singh @ Manga from whom recovery of commercial quantity of poppy husk had been effected. He has been nominated on the basis of disclosure statement of co-accused, however, the digital evidence collected during the course of investigation prima facie shows his active complicity in the crime along with the co- accused. The case is still at its nascent stage. There is nothing on record to show that there would be any undue delay in conclusion of the trial. Taking into consideration the above discussed facts, this Court finds no compelling ground to allow this petition. Accordingly, the petition is HARJEET KAUR 2026.07.15 10:34 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-23734-2026 (O&M) -4- dismissed. 8. It is clarified that any observation made in this order is only for deciding this petition and shall not influence the outcome of the trial and also not be taken as an expression of opinion on merits. 9. Since the main petition has been dismissed, pending application, if any, is rendered infructuous. (MANISHA BATRA) 14.07.2026 JUDGE harjeet Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No HARJEET KAUR 2026.07.15 10:34 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document