CRM-M-37593-2026 (O&M) 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. 214 CRM-M-37593-2026 (O&M). Date of Decision: 03.09.2026. Manjit Singh @ Meeta ....Petitioner. VERSUS State of Punjab ....Respondent. *** CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH --- Present: Mr. Udayveer Singh, Advocate for Mr. Rajat Dogra, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Adeshwar Singh Pannu, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab. **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (Oral) Petitioner-Manjit Singh @ Meeta, aged about 29 years, has filed the instant 3rd petition under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, seeking regular bail in case FIR No.117 dated 04.08.2024 under Section 21 of NDPS Act, 1985 (Section 29 of NDPS Act added later on), registered at Police Station Special Task Force, District SAS Nagar, Mohali. 2. First bail petition (CRM-M-16869-2025) filed by petitioner was dismissed as withdrawn, vide order dated 02.04.2025 (Annexure P-4). 3. Second bail petition (CRM-M-68711-2025) filed by petitioner was dismissed as withdrawn, vide order dated 30.03.2026 (Annexure P-5). JAWALA RAM 2026.09.03 19:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-37593-2026 (O&M) 2 4. Thus, instant is the third bail petition by taking a ground that petitioner is inside jail for the last 02 years and 29 days (since 04.08.2024). Charges were framed on 06.05.2025, but till date out of total 19 prosecution witnesses, only two witnesses have been examined. 5. Counsel argues that as per case of the prosecution at about 5:15 PM on 04.08.2024, while police team was on patrolling duty in search of criminals, one secret informant gave information that a person namely Manjit Singh @ Meeta deals in intoxicating material from his house and today he would be going on his Honda motorcycle No.PB-05-AG-9031 towards Zira Gate via Grain Market, Ferozepur City. By sending information to the concerned police station for registration of FIR, investigation was processed and during investigation, from the polythene bag hanging on the handle of motorcycle, 300 grams of Heroin was recovered. During investigation, petitioner disclosed the name of another accused namely Amrik Singh @ Amriki, who also was later on nominated as accused under Section 29 of NDPS Act, vide Rapat No.11 dated 10.08.2024. The said accused was also arrested on 23.12.2024. Counsel further argues that alleged recovery of Heroin from petitioner is only 50 grams i.e. more than the maximum of non-commercial quantity i.e. 250 grams and already for a period of about 02 years and 01 month, petitioner is inside jail. Trial since is not being processed, petitioner be released on bail. 5. On the other hand, learned State counsel submits that petitioner is accused in five other criminal cases, which are detailed hereunder:- JAWALA RAM 2026.09.03 19:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-37593-2026 (O&M) 3 (1) FIR No.119 dated 10.10.2016 under Sections 307, 148, 149 IPC, 25, 27, 54, 59-A of Arms Act, P.S. Bhikhiwind. (2) FIR No.80 dated 10.10.2016 under Section 379-B IPC, P.S. Jhabhal. (3) FIR No.315 dated 20.10.2017 under Section 61/1/14 of Excise Act, P.S. City Ferozepur. (4) FIR No.44 dated 17.02.2018 under Sections 307, 323, 148, 149 IPC, 25/54/59 of Arms Act, P.S. City Ferozepur. (5) FIR No.183 ated 04.06.2020 under Sections 336, 506, 148, 149 IPC, 25/27 of Arms Act, P.S. City Ferozepur. However, learned State counsel admits that none of those cases is under NDPS Act. 6. Faced with the situation, learned counsel for petitioner submits that in FIR No.119, petitioner has already been acquitted; in FIR No.80, FIR No.315 and FIR No.44, petitioner is on bail, whereas FIR No.183 has already been quashed by this Court, vide order dated 03.04.2025 passed in CRM-M- 53240-2024. 7. Considering all the circumstances that out of the above- mentioned five other cases, no case is found registered against the petitioner under NDPS Act and looking at the age of petitioner, he requires to be afforded an opportunity to rehabilitate him in the society and to stay away from the narcotic contraband. Considering the above said circumstances in totality, this Court is of the considered opinion that the petitioner deserves the concession of regular bail. However, anything observed hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. Consequently, the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to his furnishing bail/ surety JAWALA RAM 2026.09.03 19:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-37593-2026 (O&M) 4 bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. 8. The observation made here-in-above shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case and the Trial Court is expected to decide the case on the basis of complete evidence available on record. 9. 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. 10. Petition stands disposed of accordingly. Pending application, if any, also stand disposed of accordingly. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 03.09.2026 jitender Whether speaking/ reasoned : Yes/ No Whether Reportable : Yes/ No JAWALA RAM 2026.09.03 19:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document