315 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M No.37627 of 2026 Date of Decision:- 22.07.2026 Pawan Singh Rana …..Petitioner. Versus State of Punjab .....Respondent. CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKRAM AGGARWAL ***** Present:- Mr. Abhinav Singla, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Ravneet Singh Lekhi, AAG, Punjab. VIKRAM AGGARWAL, J. (ORAL) Prayer in the present petition preferred under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, ‘the BNSS’) is for the grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.471 dated 25.11.2022 registered under Sections 302 and 34 IPC, at Police Station Zirakpur, District SAS Nagar (Mohali). 2. Custody certificate dated 16.07.2026 filed in Court today, is taken on record. 3. On the statement of one Raj Bahadur, the FIR in question was registered with the following allegations:- “Statement of Raj Bahadur son of Late Sh. Radha Ram resident of village Kanika Mau Police Station Ganga Ghaat YAG DUTT 2026.07.22 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CRM-M No.37627 of 2026 -2- Post Office Shankarpur Sarai District Unnao U.P., presently resident of House No.01 Ekta Vihar Baltana Police Station Zirakpur District S.A.S.Nagar, aged about 33 years, Phone No.82888-84091. Stated that I am resident of the above address and I have been doing private job at Mahajan Furniture Mall Kalgidhar Enclave Baltana. My marriage was solemnized with Savitri Devi daughter of Ram Ratan resident of village Wadhwakhera District Unnao around 15 years ago, from which, I have three children, eldest of all, daughter Shagun aged about 12 years, younger to her, daughter Vansika, aged about 10 years and youngest of all, son Manish, aged about 6 years. That my wife Savitri had died during corona period in the year 2020 suddenly and naturally and my children were taken by my mother-in-law to U.P. After which, I got second marriage in the year 2021 with Gayatri Devi resident of Langnau. My wife Gayatri Devi had taken divorce from her first husband and that in the year 2021, with the mutual consent of both our families, got married to Gayatri Devi, from whom, I do not have any child. That I have been living with my wife Gayatri Devi in room constructed in the above house from last around 5 years and in the room near to me, from around 1 year, Pawan Singh Rana son of Amir Singh resident of village Dumri Baiju Ward No.1 Patahi East Champaran Bihar has been living with his wife Saloni, who is having a 5 months daughter. That we were having common bathroom that my wife Gayatri use to clean this bathroom. Then, on account of cleaning of bathroom, my wife and Pawan Singh's wife, use to have arguments with each other. That from last three days, some unknown person was living with Pawan Singh Rana by coming, whose name is not known to me. That on dated 24/11/2012, at around 10.00 A.M., I went to my duty, then at around 02:00 P.M., I have made a phone call YAG DUTT 2026.07.22 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CRM-M No.37627 of 2026 -3- on the Phone No.9041327564 of my wife Gayatri Devi, who has not picked up the phone. Then, despite making of repeated calls by me, not picked up the phone. Then, at around 05:00 P.M., I made a phone call then the phone was coming switched off. Then I saw by going to my house then, my room was locked from outside. That the lock placed was not of mine. Then, I went to my mother Rameshwari at Ekta Vihar, where my mother was working. By taking her along with, I reached to my room. Then, I saw by breaking the lock of my room then, my wife was lying on bed covered with blood, whose throat was slotted with some sharp edged weapon. Then, I raised alarm. Then so many residents of Mohalla have gathered there. After sometime of that, the police arrived on the spot. Then, I enquired about my neighbor Pawan Singh Rana then, came to know that Pawan Singh Rana along with unknown person by taking along with their articles, had fled away. I have full confidence that my wife had been murdered by Pawan Singh Rana and unknown person with a preplanned conspiracy after slitting the throat of my wife Gayatri Devi with some sharp edged weapon. Necessary legal action may be taken against them. Statement has been recorded a to you, heard, it is correct.” 4. The petitioner was arrested on 09.12.2022 along with one Jhunnu Kumar. During the course of investigation, it came out that it was Jhunnu Kumar, who had slit the throat of the deceased while the petitioner had caught hold of her. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated. He submits that the case is based on circumstantial evidence. He further submits that co-accused Jhunnu Kumar YAG DUTT 2026.07.22 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CRM-M No.37627 of 2026 -4- has already been granted regular bail by a coordinate Bench vide order dated 07.05.2026 passed in CRM-M No.4927 of 2026. Learned counsel submits that the petitioner is in custody since 09.12.2022; 03 years 07 months 07 days have passed; out of a total of 20 prosecution witnesses, only 09 (including the complainant) have been examined till date; trial will still take a sufficiently long time and no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody any longer. 6. Per contra, learned State counsel has opposed the bail application. 7. I have considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties. 8. No doubt, the allegations are serious. However, the case is based on circumstantial evidence. The petitioner is in custody for the last 03 years 07 months 07 days. Out of a total of 20 prosecution witnesses, only 09 have been examined till date. Co-accused Jhunnu Kumar, who is alleged to have slit the throat of the deceased (Gayatri Devi) has been granted regular bail by a coordinate Bench vide order dated 07.05.2026 passed in CRM-M No.4927 of 2026. The case of the petitioner is at par with that of Jhunnu Kumar. Trial will still take a sufficiently long time and, therefore, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody any longer. 9. In view of the aforementioned facts and circumstances, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail YAG DUTT 2026.07.22 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CRM-M No.37627 of 2026 -5- on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/Duty Magistrate. (VIKRAM AGGARWAL) July 22, 2026 JUDGE Yag Dutt Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No YAG DUTT 2026.07.22 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment.