CRM-M-29039-2026 -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 219 CRM-M-29039-2026 Date of Decision: 27.07.2026 NIRMAL SINGH @ BAGGA ... PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ... RESPONDENT CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.S.GREWAL Present:- Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Advocate for the petitioner. H.S. Grewal, J.(Oral) 1. This petition has been filed under section 483 B.N.S.S. (earlier 439 Cr.P.C.) for grant of regular bail in case F.I.R. No. 0277, Dated 12.10.2022, recorded U/S 22/61/85 of N.D.P.S Act, Police Station Sultanpur Lodhi, District Kapurthala. 2. The case of the prosecution is that 1,000 loose intoxicant tablets containing 101 grams of Alprazolam were recovered from the conscious possession of the petitioner, which is stated to be marginally above the commercial quantity. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the alleged recovery of the tablets, along with the bag, weighs 101 grams. It is contended that Alprazolam up to 100 grams falls within the non-commercial quantity and, therefore, if the weight of the bag is excluded, the actual weight of the alleged RENU RAWAT 2026.07.31 14.25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CRM-M-29039-2026 -2- contraband would fall below the commercial quantity. Learned counsel has placed reliance upon the judgment passed by this Court in CRM-M-45670 of 2024, titled as Amrik Singh versus State of Punjab. It is further submitted that the prescribed procedure for effecting the recovery was not duly followed by the police officials and that there has been non-compliance with the mandatory provisions of Section 50 of the NDPS Act. 4. Notice of motion. 5. Mr. K.D.Sachdeva, DAG, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State. He has vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of regular bail on the ground that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. He has filed the custody certificate of the petitioner in Court today, which is taken on record. As per the custody certificate, the petitioner is in custody for the last 01 year 06 months and 18 days. He furthers submits that the petitioner is involved in two other cases. However, it is submitted that the said case pertains to the year 2013 and has been released on bail, whereas the petitioner has also been involved in another case registered recently on 19.06.2026. It is further submitted that 10 prosecution witnesses are yet to be examined. 6. I have heard the submissions made by the parties and gone through the record. 7. Considering the fact that the petitioner is in custody for the last 01 year 06 months and 18 days, 10 prosecution witnesses are yet to be examined, this Court is of the view that no useful purpose would be served by further RENU RAWAT 2026.07.31 14.25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CRM-M-29039-2026 -3- incarceration of the petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner is granted the concession of regular bail during the pendency of the trial. 8. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the instant petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing requisite bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned. 9. Nothing discussed hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 10. It is clarified that if while on bail so granted through the instant order, the petitioner is found indulged in any other criminal case/activity, it shall be open to the State to seek cancellation of his bail. 27.07.2026 (H.S.GREWAL) renu JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No RENU RAWAT 2026.07.31 14.25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh