CRM-M-22848-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 207 CRM-M-22848-2026 Decided on : 03.09.2026 PANKAJ PIPLANI ALIAS SHERU ......Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Varun Sharma, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Adeshwar Singh Pannu, AAG, Punjab. **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. 1. The instant 2nd 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 Pankaj Piplani alias Sheru, aged about 27 years 125 02.10.2019 20 of NDPS Act Basti Bawa Khel Police Commissioner ate, Jalandhar 2. As per the case of prosecution, on 02.10.2019, charas weighing 1 kg was recovered from the possession of the petitioner, pursuant to which FIR was registered and petitioner was arrested. LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-22848-2026 2 3. Counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner had earlier filed CRM-M-53903-2019, and this Court, relying upon the judgment of “Inderjeet Singh alias Laddi and others v. State of Punjab, 2014(3) RCR (Criminal) 953”, granted the concession of interim bail to the petitioner, vide order dated 30.01.2020 (Annexure P-2), as the FSL report was then awaited. Thereafter, proceedings continued; however, on account of the petitioner's absence, bail earlier granted to him was cancelled. Subsequently, vide order dated 24.03.2025 passed by learned Special Court, Jalandhar (Annexure P-3), petitioner was declared a ‘proclaimed person’. Petitioner was thereafter re-arrested on 28.11.2025, and, is inside jail since then. 4. It is submitted that, prior to being granted the concession of interim bail by this Court, vide order dated 30.01.2020 (Annexure P-2), petitioner had remained in custody for a period of 4 months and 2 days. After his re-arrest on 28.11.2025, he has remained in custody for a further period of approximately 9 months and 5 days. Thus, petitioner has, in total, undergone incarceration for a period of approximately 1 year, 1 month and 7 days. Learned counsel, accordingly, prays for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in the present case. 5. 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 LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-22848-2026 3 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 01 year 01 month and 07 days period inside jail and there is no other case registered against him. 6. 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 today, including the total period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner. However, he prays for dismissal of the present petition. 7. This Court has heard the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties and has also gone through the record available before it. 8. Admittedly, quantity recovered in the present case is 1 kg of charas, which, in all probability, would be considered a non-commercial quantity, as the same does not exceed 1 kg. It is also a matter of concern that, after re-arrest of the petitioner, no information was furnished by the concerned jail/police administration/jail authorities to learned trial Court, and consequently, no proceedings could take place. 9. In view of the totality of circumstances, facts and allegations levelled against the petitioner, and the factors noticed here above, particularly the fact that after his re-arrest, petitioner has remained inside jail for a period of 9 months and 6 days, and keeping in view the expectation that petitioner shall cooperate with the proceedings before LAVISHA 2026.09.03 14:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-22848-2026 4 learned trial Court, this Court deems it appropriate to grant the concession of bail to the petitioner in the present case. 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. 10. Needless to observe that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly. 11. 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. 12. It is further made clear that if, in future, petitioner is directly found indulged in similar kind of activities, this order shall be deemed to be cancelled. 13. 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