231 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-19885-2026 DECIDED ON: 22.07.2026 AKASHDEEP SINGH @ AKASH ...PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB .....RESPONDENT CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH. Present: Mr. Jagjeet Singh, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Vinay Malhotra, DAG, Punjab, assisted by ASI Rajinder Kumar. SANJAY VASHISTH, J (ORAL) 1. Present 2nd petition has been filed by the petitioner, seeking grant of regular bail, in case, FIR No.0204, dated 07.11.2023, under Sections 21(C), 27(A) and 29 of NDPS Act, registered at Police Station Dinanagar, District Gurdaspur. 2. Case of the prosecution, as discussed in the order dated 12.06.2024, passed by learned Special Court, Gurdaspur (Annexure P-4), is reproduced here below, for reference:- “As per the case of the prosecution, on 07.11.2023, in the area of High Way Sugar Mill Paniar, one private bus bearing no. DD 01N9011 which was coming from Pathankot side was signaled to stop. On checking, two accused persons were apprehended on suspicion who were holding kit in their hands. On enquiry, they disclosed their name as Akashdeep Singh @ Akash and Shera Singh @Baba. On checking, 390 grams heroin was recovered from accused Akashdeep Singh @ Akash whereas on checking the kit of accused Shamsher Singh, the drugs money of Rs. 2,61,400/- was recovered. LAVISHA 2026.07.23 13:11 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-19885-2026 -2- On further interrogation, they disclosed to have procured the said contraband from one Palwinder Singh @ Baba, r/o Chattiwind and they used to deliver further to one Mahanshu Gujjar. On their disclosure statement, accused applicant and Mahanshu Gujjar were nominated in the present case.” 3. Learned State counsel has filed custody certificate dated 21.07.2026 in the Court today and the same is taken on record. 4. Petitioner has remained in judicial custody for a period of about 2 years, 8 months and 9 days, as per custody certificate filed by the State. Ordinarily, such a prolonged period of incarceration would warrant consideration of the prayer for grant of regular bail. However, there are other significant factors, as pointed out by learned State counsel, which militate against the grant of such relief in the present case. 5. Petitioner is about 28 years of age, and apart from the present case, he is stated to be involved in five other criminal cases, four of which are registered under the provisions of the NDPS Act. Repeated involvement of the petitioner in offences of a similar nature prima facie indicates that he has not shown any remorse or reformation despite having previously faced prosecution in such cases. 6. In these circumstances, this Court does not find any ground to extend the concession of regular bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, present petition is dismissed. 7. Learned Trial Court shall, however, make every endeavour to expedite the trial and conclude the proceedings as expeditiously as possible, so that avoidable delay does not become a ground for the petitioner, to seek bail at a later stage. 8. A copy of this order be forwarded to learned Trial Court for information and necessary compliance. (SANJAY VASHISTH) 22.07.2026 JUDGE Lavisha Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No LAVISHA 2026.07.23 13:11 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh