CRM-M-25776-2026(O&M) 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 222 CRM-M-25776-2026(O&M) Decided on :23.07.2026 Jatinder Singh . . . Petitioner(s) Versus State of Punjab . . . Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Prateek Pandit, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Vinay Malhotra, DAG, Punjab. **** SANJAY VASHISTH , J. (Oral) 1. Present petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS seeking regular bail in case FIR No.324 dated 19.10.2025, under Sections 7, 8 of Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 42, 52-A of Prison Act and Section 61(2) of BNS (120-B IPC) ( Sections 8 of Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 61(2) of BNS were added later on), registered at Police Station Islamabad, District Amritsar. 2. FIR in the present case was registered on the complaint of Sahib Singh, Assistant Superintendent, Central Jail, Amritsar, against three PESCO employees/security personnel, namely, Prahlad Singh, Amanpreet Singh and Ramandeep Singh, as well as seven inmates, namely, Jatinder Pal Singh, Prince Pal Singh, Harmandeep Singh, Kanwaljit Singh, Varinderjit Singh, Prabhdeep Singh, Prabhjit Singh and Gurpreet Singh. RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:57 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25776-2026(O&M) 2 Allegations against the security personnel are that, while posted in the jail, they, in lieu of illegal gratification received from the inmates, facilitated the smuggling of prohibited articles such as packets of beedis, tobacco, Cool Lip packets, mobile phones and other contraband into the jail premises. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the case of the petitioner is squarely covered by the principle of parity. It is contended that co-accused-Prahlad Singh @ Prehlad Singh has already been granted the concession of regular bail by a Coordinate Bench of this Court vide order dated 20.04.2026 passed in CRM-M-19696-2026 (Annexure P-2). It is further submitted that the other two co-accused/security personnel, namely, Amanpreet Singh and Ramandeep Singh, have also been granted regular bail by Coordinate Benches of this Court vide orders dated 22.04.2026 and 21.05.2026 passed in CRM-M- 20597-2026 and CRM-M-19047-2026, respectively. In support of the said submission, learned counsel has produced photocopies of the aforesaid orders in Court today, which are taken on record. 4. Learned counsel further submits that the petitioner is in custody since 10.11.2025. It is contended that the charges are yet to be proved during trial and that no further incriminating material has been collected against the petitioner during the course of investigation. On these grounds, learned counsel prays for the grant of regular bail to the petitioner. RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:57 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25776-2026(O&M) 3 5. Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of regular bail and submits that petitioner, while discharging his duties as a security personnel in the Central Jail, allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with the inmates and facilitated the smuggling of prohibited articles into the jail premises in lieu of illegal gratification. It is contended that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature, affecting the security and discipline of the prison, and, therefore, no ground for grant of regular bail is made out. Accordingly, learned State counsel prays for dismissal of the present petition. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have perused the paper-book. 7. This Court is of the considered view that the investigation stands concluded and the challan has already been presented. Petitioner is in custody since 10.11.2025. Considering the total period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner and the fact that the other co-accused/security personnel, without whose alleged assistance the prohibited articles could not have been brought inside the jail premises, have already been granted the concession of regular bail by the Coordinate Bench of this Court, petitioner is also entitled to the benefit of parity. Charges are yet to be proved during the course of trial, which is likely to take some time to conclude. In these circumstances, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner behind bars any longer. RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:57 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25776-2026(O&M) 4 Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to his furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/Illaqa Magistrate/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. 8. Any observation made hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. Learned trial Court shall proceed to decide the case independently, on the basis of evidence available on record, in accordance with law and as expeditiously as possible. 9. Petition stands disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 23.07.2026 Rashmi Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:57 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document