CRM-M-27770-2026 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 239 CRM-M-27770-2026 (O&M) Date of decision : 22.07.2026 Gurpreet Singh ...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present:- Mr. Gurjant Singh Bhullar, 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. 132 dated 16.11.2025 registered under Section 103 of BNS and Section 25 of Arms Act, 1959 (Sections 3(5), 111, 61(2) and 249 of BNS added later on) at Police Station Khalchian, District Amritsar, Punjab. 2. As per the allegations, FIR No. 121 dated 27.10.2025 was registered under Sections 125, 308(4), 351(3) read with Section 3(5) of BNS and Section 25 of Arms Act, on the basis of statement recorded by the complainant Lakhwinder Singh, alleging that on the night of 26.10.2025, some unidentified persons had fired several shots at his house. He had also received a call on his cell phone and the caller while introducing himself as Jaisal Chambal demanded ransom amount of Rs. 50 lakh and otherwise extended MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.22 16:24 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-27770-2026 (O&M) -2- threats to kill. The CCTV cameras installed outside his house were checked and it was found that two youths riding on a motorcycle and with muffled faces had fired shots towards his house on the night of 26.10.2025. Then the aforementioned FIR No. 132 was registered on the basis of statement recorded by the complainant Lakhwinder Singh alleging that his father Manjit Singh had been shot at when he was present at his shop on 16.11.2025. On receipt of information, the complainant had rushed there and found his father lying down in a pool of blood. It was found that one bullet had hit his chest and he had succumbed to the injuries. While narrating the incident that had taken place on 26.10.2025, the complainant alleged that the murder of his father was committed by the above said Jaisal Chambal. 3. After registration of FIR, investigation proceedings were initiated. The complainant recorded his supplementary statement on 17.11.2025 alleging that he had made inquiry and had come to know that Jaisal Chambal @ Gurdeep Singh was a dreaded gangster and formed a gang including his mother Rajwant Kaur and other family members. All of them were involved in harbouring shooters by providing them weapons, accommodation and transportation and managing the ransom money. The petitioner along with Rajwant Kaur and Sukhwant Kaur was nominated as accused. He was arrested on 18.11.2025. Co-accused were also arrested. The petitioner suffered disclosure statement admitting his involvement in the commission of subject crime. Subsequently, some other accused persons were nominated as accused. Investigation now stands concluded. 4. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.22 16:24 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-27770-2026 (O&M) -3- falsely implicated in the present case solely on account of being the younger brother of the alleged main accused Gurdev Singh @ Jaisal Chambal. The petitioner has no connection with the alleged criminal activities of his brother, who had already been disowned by the family during the lifetime of their father. Even the petitioner's mother had publicly severed all relations with him through a newspaper publication and affidavit. It is further submitted that the petitioner was not named in the original FIR and no specific role has been attributed to him. His name surfaced only subsequently on the basis of suspicion without any substantive material connecting him with the alleged offence. No recovery has been effected from the petitioner. There is no direct or circumstantial evidence linking him with the alleged firing or murder or extortion. Investigation has since been completed and challan has been presented. The petitioner has remained in custody since 18.11.2025. Co- accused Rajwant Kaur, who is his mother, has already been granted concession of regular bail. On parity, the petitioner too deserves to be given the same benefit. No useful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody anymore. Hence, it is urged that the petition deserves to be allowed. 5. Status report and the custody certificate of the petitioner have been filed. Learned State counsel has argued that there are serious and specific allegations against the petitioner who at the behest of his brother Gurdev Singh @ Jaisal Chambal, used to harbour the shooters/persons who were engaged in making demands of extortion money or firing shots outside the house of the victim to overawe or to kill him. The father of the complainant had been killed by one of such persons. There are chances of petitioner’s absconding or MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.22 16:24 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-27770-2026 (O&M) -4- committing similar offences if extended benefit of bail. Therefore, it is stressed that the petition does not deserve to be allowed. 6. This Court has heard learned counsel for the parties at considerable length. 7. The petitioner is alleged to have harboured the shooters alleged to have been nominated by his son Jaisal Chambal @ Gurdev Singh residing abroad. According to the petitioner, he has already severed his relations with his brother and is not involved in the illegal activities being done by him. He has been nominated on the basis of supplementary statement of the complainant. Apart from the allegations as levelled in the supplementary statement, there is no material at this stage on record to show the manner in which the petitioner was involved in this case either by harbouring the other co-accused or otherwise. As such, it is only a matter of trial and it is only on thorough assessment of the evidence to be adduced before the trial Court that any conclusion as to his involvement in commission of the subject offences can be drawn. Co-accused Rajwant Kaur has already been given concession of bail by this Court. The petitioner has been in custody since 18.11.2025. Trial will take time to conclude. No useful purpose would be served by detaining him in custody anymore. In view of the above discussed facts this Court is of the considered opinion that the petitioner has made out a case for release on bail. Accordingly, the petition is allowed and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail subject to his furnishing personal/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate concerned. 8. However, in addition to the conditions to be imposed by the MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.22 16:24 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-27770-2026 (O&M) -5- learned trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate, the release of the petitioner shall also be subject to the following conditions : (i) he shall not absent himself on any date before the learned trial Court; (ii) he shall deposit his passport, if any, with the learned trial Court; (iii) he shall give the details of his mobile numbers at the police station concerned and shall not change the same without prior permission of the Court; (iv) he shall not delay the trial in any manner. 9. It is, however, clarified that the observations made hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case and shall not influence the outcome of the trial. 22.07.2026 (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 2026.07.22 16:24 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document