IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Reserved on: 22^nd August, 2025 Pronounced on: 29 t h August, 2025 Ranjit Singh @ Laddi ...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present: Mr. Parvinder Singh, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Roshandeep Singh, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab.

***

MANISHA BATRA, J :-

The instant one is the second petition filed by the petitioner seeking grant of regular bail in case bearing FIR No. 36 dated 17.04.2022 registered under Section 302 of IPC and Sections 25 and 27 of Arms Act (Section 120-B of IPC added later on) at Police Station Sadar Banga, District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

2. The aforementioned FIR was registered on the basis of a statement recorded by the complainant Sarabjit Singh on 17.04.2022 alleging that on the morning of 16.04.2022, his father Sukhwinder Singh had parked his vehicle in the cattle feed shed and left for his house. After some time, he received information that his father had sustained some injury. The complainant, who was present in his shop, rushed home and found his father in an injured condition. He took his father to the hospital but was declared to be brought dead. Post mortem examination of the dead body was conducted.

The complainant had made inquiries and, on checking CCTV cameras installed in the house of neighbourer Kulwinder, he found a Sikh person while going towards his house at 7:30 AM and running back hurriedly at 7:45 AM. He was also seen to be carrying a weapon. By alleging that his father had been shot at by the said unknown person, he prayed for taking action. Investigation proceedings were initiated. On 03.07.2022, witness Kulwinder Singh recorded his statement to the effect that the present petitioner had made an extra-judicial confession before him admitting his involvement in the murder of the victim. Thereafter, he was nominated as an accused and was arrested on 05.07.2022. On interrogation, he suffered a disclosure statement admitting that he had shot at the victim due to having previous enmity with him. The weapons used in commission of offence along with other incriminating material was also got recovered from him. Investigation has since been completed and the petitioner, along with the co-

accused is facing trial for commission of the aforementioned offences.

3. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case on the basis of statement recorded by PW- Kulwinder singh which cannot be considered to be admissible. False recovery has been planted upon the petitioner and he has been in custody since long. The petitioner is not clearly reflected in the CCTV footage. The trial will take considerable time to conclude since out of 27 prosecution witnesses only 04 PWs have been examined so far. His involvement in other cases cannot be considered to be a reason for denying benefit of bail to him. His further incarceration would not serve any useful purpose. It is, therefore, urged that he deserves to be released on bail.

4. Status report has been filed. It is argued by learned State counsel that he is a man of criminal nature and is a habitual offender since many cases have been registered against him. The petitioner suffered extra judicial confession before PW- Kulwinder Singh. There are chances of his absconding or intimidating the witnesses, if extended benefit of bail. The allegations against him are serious in nature. Therefore, it is urged that the petition does not deserve to be allowed.

5. This Court has heard learned counsel for the parties at considerable length and has gone through the record carefully.

6. The petitioner is alleged to have fired shots with pistol upon the father of the complainant, and as a result, he died on 16.04.2022. The petitioner was seen going towards the house of the victim in the CCTV camera footage. Recovery of weapon of offence has also been effected from him. He is also alleged to have suffered extra ju