CRM-M-29548-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 210 CRM-M-29548-2026 Decided on : 03.09.2026 NIRANJAN SINGH ......Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Amit Arora, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Gurpartap Singh, AAG, Punjab. **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. 1. The instant petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 439 Cr.P.C.), for grant of regular bail to the petitioner, during the pendency of trial, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed hereunder:- Name of Petitioner(s) FIR No. Date Section(s) Police Station District Niranjan Singh, aged about 35 years 0010 27.05.2017 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC (corresponding to sections 318, 338, 336, 340, 61(2) of BNS) and section 13(1) read with 13(2) of Vigilance Bureau Amritsar LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-29548-2026 2 Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 2. On the basis of issuance of certain forged birth certificates by the office of the Civil Surgeon, Amritsar, during the years 2012–2013, various applicants applied for the issuance of their respective passports on the strength of such certificates. The matter was subsequently inquired into by the Vigilance Bureau, Range Amritsar, and, thereafter, present FIR was registered. Complete version of the FIR reads as under:- “SHO, Police Station Vigilane Bureau Range, Amritsar. Vigilance inquiry No. 14 dated 16.12.2014 Amritsar against official/employee office of Civil Surgeon Amritsar has been received for inquiry. That from the inquiry it transpired that during the year 2012-2013 different applicants at the time of applying for their respective passports in the office of passport Amritsar at the time of applying have got annexed the photocopies of their birth certificates issued from the office of Civil Surgeon Amritsar and on the basis of the photocopies of these birth certificates and after getting verified by the passport granting officer Amritsar from the office of Additional District Registrar Birth & Death Amritsar these birth certificates were found to be forged. At the time of issuance these birth certificates Daljit Singh, Multipurpose Health worker was posted at the seat of correction and late entry of birth certificates, Charanjit Singh Class-IV employee and Paramjit Singh son of Gurmej Singh resident of Khak, Police Station Goindwal Sahib, District Tarn Taran, Niranjan Singh son of Ronki Ram resident of Village Gahiri Police Station Sarai Amant Khan, District Tarn Taran (private agent), Jarnail Singh @ Jaila son of Kirpa Singh resident of village Guruwali, Police Station Chatiwind, District Amritsar Rural in connivance with each other after taking money (bribe) from the persons who have got issued the birth certificates had got prepared the forged birth certificates and by doing this accused Daljit Singh Multipurpose Health Worker LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-29548-2026 3 in the office of Civil Surgeon Amritsar, Charanjit Singh Class-IV employee office of Civil Surgeon Amritsar son of Mukhtiar Masih resident of Jafarkot, Tehsil Ajnala, District Amritsar, Paramjit Singh son of Gurmej Singh resident of village Khak Police Station Goindwal Sahib, District Tarn Taran, Niranjan Singh son of Ronki Ram resident of Village Gahiri Police Station Sarai Amant Khan, District Tarn Taran (private agent) and Jarnail Singh @ Jaila son of Kirpa Singh resident of village Guruwali, Police Station Chatiwind, District Amritsar Rural (private agent) inconnivance with each other while misusing their official position with ill will and by preparing the forged birth certificates have committed an offences under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC and 13(1) r/w 13(2) PC Act, 1988.” 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the main accused, namely Daljit Singh and Charanjit, who, while posted as Multipurpose Health Worker and Class-IV employee, respectively, in the office of the Civil Surgeon, Amritsar, had actively participated in the commission of forgery and were also facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, were granted the concession of bail by this Court, vide orders dated 21.09.2017, passed in CRM-M-28949-2017 (Annexure P-1), and 08.09.2017, passed in CRM-M-32511-2017 (Annexure P-2), respectively. 4. It is further submitted that other similarly situated co- accused, namely Jarnail Singh and Paramjit Singh, were also granted the concession of bail by this Court, vide orders dated 21.09.2017, passed in CRM-M-27827-2017 (Annexure P-3), and 06.10.2017, passed in CRM- M-30024-2017 (Annexure P-4), respectively. LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-29548-2026 4 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that role attributed to the present petitioner is similar to that of co-accused Jarnail Singh and Paramjit Singh, as all three are alleged to have committed the offence in connivance with the concerned officials and passport applicants. It is contended that they had allegedly acted as agents for facilitating the issuance of passports. It is further submitted that although the other accused have already been granted the concession of bail, but present petitioner was neither arrested by the police nor he joined the investigation after registration of the FIR. It is also submitted that no final report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. was submitted against any of the other accused at the relevant stage. 6. Learned counsel further submits that petitioner was initially arrested in another case, i.e. FIR No. 49 dated 16.11.2023, registered under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act, Section 25 of the Arms Act and Section 201 of the IPC. While petitioner was in custody in the said case, he was taken on production warrants for interrogation in the present case on 21.12.2023. Thereafter, challan qua all the accused was presented on 19.03.2024, and charges were framed on 03.01.2025. However, out of total 65 prosecution witnesses, only 7 witnesses have been examined so far. Thus, conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time. Learned counsel, accordingly, prays for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in the present case. LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-29548-2026 5 7. In response to the arguments addressed by learned counsel for the petitioner, learned State counsel, produces the custody certificate dated 02.09.2026 in Court today, which is taken on record. Office to tag the same at appropriate place. A copy thereof has been handed over to the counsel for the petitioner. As per the custody certificate, in the present case, petitioner has already undergone 02 years 08 months and 11 days period inside jail. 8. On the other hand, learned State counsel is unable to dispute any of the factual assertions made by learned counsel for the petitioner before this Court, including present stage of the trial. However, he prays for dismissal of the present petition. 9. This Court has heard the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties and has also perused the record available before it. 10. Undisputedly, petitioner has already been granted the concession of bail in the other case registered against him, i.e. FIR No. 49 dated 16.11.2023, by this Court, vide order dated 17.02.2026 passed in CRM-M-56795-2025 (Annexure P-7). The said concession has neither been violated by the petitioner till date, nor the same has been assailed before Hon'ble Apex Court. Petitioner is inside jail in the present case for a period of 2 years, 8 months and 11 days. Further, conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, as out of total 65 prosecution witnesses, only 7 witnesses have been examined till date. LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-29548-2026 6 11. In view of the totality of the circumstances, nature of the allegations levelled against the petitioner, period of custody already undergone, and stage of the trial, this Court deems it appropriate to grant the concession of regular bail to the petitioner in the present case. 12. Consequently, prayer made in the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail, subject to his furnishing bail/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. 13. Needless to observe that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly. 14. Any of the discussion done and recorded here above, shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case. Therefore, trial Court is expected to decide the case by taking an independent view, on the basis of evidence available on record, as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with law. 15. Petition stands disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 03.09.2026 Lavisha Whether Speaking/Reasoned: YES/NO Whether Reportable: YES/NO LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh