IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 206 CRM-M-33565-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision: 28.07.2026 BALJINDER SINGH @ NIKKA ....Petitioner V/s STATE OF PUNJAB .…Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKRAM AGGARWAL Present: Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Advocate for Mr. Mohd. Yusuf, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Rahul Jindal, AAG, Punjab. *** VIKRAM AGGARWAL, J. (ORAL) Prayer in the present petition preferred by the petitioner under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short the “BNSS”) is for the grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR No.148 dated 27.06.2021 under Sections 15 and 29 of NDPS Act, 1985 registered at Police Station Lehra, District Sangrur. 2. On 10.06.2026, the following order was passed by a Coordinate Bench:- “1. Present petition has been filed by the petitioner under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438 Cr.P.C.) in case FIR No.148 dated 27.06.2021, Police Station Lehra, District Sangrur, registered under Sections 15, 29, 61 and 85 of NDPS Act, seeking relief of pre-arrest bail. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the matter and he was neither present at the spot nor MANI KUMAR 2026.07.28 18:33 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-33565-2026 (O&M) -2- any recovery has been made from him. It is contended that the petitioner was not named in the FIR and was nominated on the basis of a disclosure statement made by another co- accused. It is submitted that the petitioner had earlier approached this Court for grant of the relief of pre-arrest bail by filing CRM-M-28827-2021 and was granted interim relief and was directed to join investigation vide order dated 26.07.2021. As the petitioner was found innocent during the course of inquiry, the said petition was disposed of as infructuous on 29.10.2021. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner further contends that since Jagtar Singh (retired ASI) started demanding bribe from the petitioner, the matter was reported to the Vigilance Bureau, Patiala and FIR No.11 dated 26.05.2022 was registered against the said Jagtar Singh under section 7 and 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It is submitted that CRM-M-61909-2023 has been filed by Jagtar Singh for constituting a special investigation team for conducting inquiry in the present FIR, wherein notice of motion has been issued and the matter is pending for 28.07.2026. Learned counsel has argued that although no directions were passed for constituting a SIT, however Jagtar Singh has been exonerated in a fresh inquiry and the petitioner has been nominated again in the FIR in question. It is urged that the petitioner has again been falsely implicated, despite earlier having been found exonerated, only as a counter- blast on account of the fact that FIR against Jagtar Singh was registered at his instance. Parity is sought with other co-accused Jagu Ram, Bhola Singh and Sukhpal Singh, who have been granted the benefit of anticipatory bail by Coordinate Benches of this Court in CRM-M-43950-2021, CRM-M-28609-2021 and CRM-M- MANI KUMAR 2026.07.28 18:33 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-33565-2026 (O&M) -3- 29062-2021, respectively. It is submitted that no useful purpose would be served by his custodial interrogation and he is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when required by the Investigating Agency. 4. Notice of motion. 5. On the asking of the Court, Ms. Gagandeep Kaur, DAG, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the respondents-State and prays for a short adjournment to seek instructions and file a status report/reply, if any. 6. Let the same be done before the next date fixed in the matter, with an advance copy to the counsel opposite. 7. List on 28.07.2026. 8. In the meantime, the petitioner is directed to appear before the SHO/Investigating Officer within 10 days from today and to join investigation as and when required. In the event of his arrest, the Investigating/Arresting Officer shall release the petitioner on interim bail on furnishing personal/surety bonds to his satisfaction. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.” 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the aforesaid order, the petitioner has duly joined investigation. 4. Learned counsel representing the State of Punjab, on instructions from ASI Suresh Kumar, Police Station Lehra, District Sangrur, who is present in the Court, submits that in compliance of the order dated 10.06.2026, the petitioner has duly joined investigation and his custodial interrogation is not required. 5. In view of the fact that petitioner has duly joined investigation and keeping in view the statement given by learned counsel representing the State of Punjab, the present petition is allowed. The order dated 10.06.2026 MANI KUMAR 2026.07.28 18:33 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-33565-2026 (O&M) -4- passed by this Court is made absolute, subject to compliance of the provisions as envisaged under Section 482(2) BNSS. (VIKRAM AGGARWAL) JUDGE July 28, 2026 Mani Kumar Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No MANI KUMAR 2026.07.28 18:33 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document