IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

113 AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 25.03.2026 RANJIT SINGH ALIAS RANA ...PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...RESPONDENT CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE H.S.GREWAL Present: Mr. Abhaysheer Singh Bhasin, Advocate with Ms. Janya Sirohi, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. P.S.Pandher, Asst. A.G.Punjab.

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H.S.GREWAL,J. (ORAL)

1. This petition has been filed under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in FIR No. 09 dated 25.01.2025 under Sections 103/109/191(3)/190/324 (6)/61(2) of BNS 2023 and Sections 25/27 of Arms Act, 1959 registered at Police Station City Zira, District Ferozepur, Punjab.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the complainant’s son, Kulwinder Singh @ Dhilka, was taken by his friend Mewa Singh on a motorcycle but did not return. While searching for him near Balmiki Mandir, Zira, the complainant saw a Swift car being chased by 3–4 vehicles, whose occupants were firing at it, causing it to overturn. Manjit Singh, brother of the petitioner, along with co-accused, allegedly fired at the occupants of the car. The complainant found his son inside with firearm injuries, who was later declared dead at the hospital. One injured, Gaurav, who suffered three injuries, made a statement naming the petitioner as a conspirator. The occurrence is alleged to have been carried out at the instance of the petitioner.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case due to previous enmity with the complainant. He further submits that the petitioner was not present at the spot, as prior to the alleged occurrence he was confined in Central Jail. It is also submitted that nothing has been recovered from the petitioner. The petitioner is in custody since 27.02.2025 and, therefore, prays for grant of regular bail.

4. On the other hand, learned State counsel assisted by Nirmal Singh, ASI, stated that he is acquainted with the facts of the case. He has vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of regular bail on the ground that the petitioner is the main conspirator of the occurrence, who, while sitting in jail, got the crime executed through his brother by murdering Kulwinder Singh. He has filed the custody certificate and status report by way of an affidavit of Jaspal Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sub Division) Zira, District Ferozepur, which are taken on record. He further submits that the petitioner is in custody for the last 01 year and 24 days and is involved in 06 other cases. On instructions, he submits that was present in Court and He admitted that, apart from the disclosure statement, there is no evidence against the petitioner, who is already confined in jail.

5. I have heard the submissions made by the parties and gone through the record.

6. After hearing the rival contentions and considering that the petitioner has been in custody for the last 01 year and 24 days, and that apart from the disclosure statement there is no credible evidence to implicate the petitioner, and further that the trial is likely to take considerable time, this Court is of the view that no useful purpose would be served by further incarceration of the petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner is granted the concession of regular bail during the pendency of the trial.

7. 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.

8. Nothing discussed hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.

9. 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.

25.03.2026 (H.S.GREWAL)

renu JUDGE