CRM-M-23266-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 218 CRM-M-23266-2026 Decided on :23.07.2026 Ankit . . . Petitioner(s) Versus State of Haryana . . . Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Karan Jangra, Advocate Mr. Anmol Tuteja, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Ruchi Sekhri, Addl. A.G., Haryana. **** SANJAY VASHISTH , J. (Oral) 1. Petitioner-Ankit s/o Surajbhan has filed present petition under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking concession of regular bail in FIR No. 173 dated 20.08.2025, under Sections 111(4) of BNS and Secton 25(6) of Arms Act (Sections 111(1)(i), 111(3), 111(5), 238(b), 61(2), 120-A IPC were added later on), registered at Police Station Bhatu Kalan, District Fatehabad. 2. Case of the prosecution, as noticed in paragraph No. 2 of the impugned order dated 13.01.2026, reads as under: “ Facts of the present case culminating into FIR are that on 20.08.2025 a written tehrir being written by P/SI Vinit, Special Task Force, Unit Hisar was received in Police Station Bhattu Kalan in which it was stated that Special Task Force is active in nabbing the accused persons who are working as Organized Crime Syndicate. On 20.08.2025 he along with HC Sunil Kumar, HC RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-23266-2026 2 Jitender, EHC Ashok Kumar in Government vehicle being driven by Constable Anil Kumar were present near Bhattu Mandi when secret informer met him and informed that Balraj son of Dharampal, resident of Bahabalpur, District Fatehabad is involved in many criminal activities. That Baldev and Ishwar son of Gunpal, resident of Nuiyawali are associate with Lawrence Bishnoi Gang and they both are in the process of recruiting new persons in their gang. That Balraj and Ishwar are lodged in Hisar jail and during their stay in Hisar jail they have joined Manoj@ Shibu son of Anil Kumar and Surender Godara son of Roshan Lal, resident of Bhattu Kalan in their gang and asked them to join more persons in their gang. That Surinder Godara, after coming out from the jail joined Ankit sor of Surajbhan, r/o Bhattu Kalan in their gang and has given him illegal weapons and cartridges for commission of offence. That Manoj @ Shibu along with Aniket @ Ankit and Arshdeep Gill had fired upon Vikas r/o Nuiyawali with intention to kill on the asking of Baldev and Ishwar. That Manoj @ Shibu, Aniket @ Ankit, Arshdeep Gill are on run and they are having illegal weapons with them. That Manoj @ Shibu and Ankit are present near Bhattu Kalan Mehuwala Head with intention to commit some crime and if raid is conducted they can be apprehended with illegal weapons. On the basis of this information, raiding party was constituted and police party reached near Mehuwala head and they saw two young boys standing there. That on seeing the police party, they started walking briskly along the Canal. That on the basis of suspicion both were apprehended and during  inquiry they disclosed their names as Manoj @ Shibu and Ankit. Thereafter, personal search of accused Manoj @ Shibu was done. one illegal pistol .32 bore was recovered from the right pocket of his jeans. On checking the magazine six live RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-23266-2026 3 cartridges were recovered from the magazine. Thereafter personal search of applicant-accused Ankil was done and during search one illegal pistol .315 bore was recovered from the right pocket of the lower of Ankit. On checking the pistol one live cartridge was recovered from the pistol and one live cartridge .315 bore was recovered from the right pocket of the lower. On the basis of this, present FIR was registered. During interrogation, accused persons suffered their disclosure statements and disclosed about their association with Lawrence Bishnoi Gang and also disclosed about the crime which they were to execute” 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is about 20 years of age. As per the allegations, one .315 bore pistol along with two live .315 bore cartridges was recovered from his possession. It is contended that, in the incident involving firing upon Vikas, the persons alleged to be involved are co-accused Arshdeep, Ankit @ Aniket and Manoj @ Shibu. The petitioner was apprehended while accompanying co-accused Manoj @ Shibu, and both were merely on foot. At the relevant time, they were not found indulging in any overt illegal activity except for the alleged possession of firearms. 4. Learned counsel further submits that petitioner was earlier involved in only one other case, i.e. FIR No. 142 dated 10.06.2024, registered under Sections 147, 148, 323, 452 and 506 IPC. In the said case, the petitioner, being a juvenile/child in conflict with law, pleaded guilty at the initial stage of the proceedings, whereupon the matter was finally disposed of by the Juvenile Justice Board. Consequently, no other criminal case is presently pending or registered against the petitioner. Petitioner is in custody since 20.08.2025. RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-23266-2026 4 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the prosecution has cited 21 witnesses and that the trial has made no substantial progress, as the recording of prosecution evidence has yet to commence. It is, therefore, contended that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take a considerable period of time. On this basis, learned counsel prays for the grant of regular bail to the petitioner. 6. Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the prayer for grant of regular bail and submits that petitioner is facing trial for serious offences involving an organized crime syndicate and was apprehended in possession of an illegal .315 bore pistol along with two live cartridges. It is further submitted that allegations against petitioner are grave in nature and, therefore, no ground for grant of regular bail is made out. Accordingly, learned State counsel prays for dismissal of the present petition. 7. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have perused the paper-book. 8. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered view that, though the allegations against the petitioner are grave and, ordinarily, would warrant a strict approach, yet, having regard to the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, particularly young age of the petitioner, his antecedents, the fact that no other criminal case is presently pending against him, and that he is in custody since 20.08.2025, further incarceration at this stage would serve no useful purpose. RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-23266-2026 5 This Court is of the view that the petitioner has undergone a sufficient period of incarceration and should now be afforded an opportunity to rehabilitate himself and reintegrate into the mainstream of society. The trial is also likely to take a considerable time to conclude, as the prosecution evidence has yet to commence. 9. 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. 10. 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. 11. Petition stands disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 23.07.2026 Rashmi Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No RASHMI 2026.07.23 18:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document