IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 04.09.2025 Karandeep Singh @ Lambar @ Karan Lambar ....Petitioner V/s State of Punjab ....Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Vidit Bansal, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Baljinder Singh Sra, Addl. AG, Punjab.

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SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL)

1. Present petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS 2023 for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case bearing FIR No.29 dated 26.03.2023, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 21, 23, 27A, 29 of NDPS Act, Section 66(F) of Information Technology Act, 2005 and Section 25 of Arms Act, 1959, at Police Station Kalanaur, District Gurdaspur.

2. The gravamen of the FIR in question is that the petitioner is an accused of being involved in an FIR pertaining to NDPS Act and Arms Act involving alleged recovery of six pistols, seven magazines alongwith 77 bullets and Rs.35,70,000/- of drug money as well from the accused in the FIR in question.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner was arrested on 13.04.2023. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further argued that the petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further argued that mandatory provisions of NDPS Act/Cr.P.C have not been complied with while effecting recovery and, thus, the petitioner cannot be said to be connected with the same in any manner whatsoever. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further argued that the petitioner is in custody for more than 2 years. He has placed reliance upon an order passed by Hon’ble Supreme Court on 28.04.2025 in SLP (Crl.) No.3502 of 2025 granting regular bail to co-accused namely Jaswinder Singh @ Kala, relevant whereof, reads as under:

“1. The petitioner seeks leave to challenge the judgment and order dated 25.11.2024 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in CRM-M No.33633-2024(O&M)

whereby the petition filed by the petitioner was dismissed.

2. The petitioner has been in custody for a period of one year and four months in connection with FIR SLP (Crl.) No.3502/2025 No.29/2023 dated 26.03.2023 registered at P.S. Kalanaur, District Gurdaspur under Sections 21, 23, 27(A), 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Section 66(F) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 25 of Arms Act, 1959.

3. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, and perused the material placed on record, we are of the considered view that the petitioner has made out case for interference with the impugned order dated 25.11.2024.

4. Considering the totality of circumstances and also the fact that the petitioner is in custody for a period of one year and four months, we are inclined to grant bail to the petitioner on such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Trial Court. Ordered accordingly.

5. To comply with the order, the petitioner shall be produced before the Trial Court forthwith.

6. The special leave petition is, accordingly, disposed of.

7 Pending application(s), if any, stands disposed of.”

Learned counsel for the petitioner has further argued that earlier the petitioner was extended concession of interim regular bail vide order dated 27.05.2025, which concession has not been misused by the petitioner. Thus, regular bail is prayed for.

4. Learned State counsel has opposed the present petition by arguing that the allegations raised against the petitioner are serious in nature. Learned State counsel has further submitted that the FIR in question pertains to recovery of six pistols, seven magazines alongwith 77 bullets and Rs.35,70,000/- of drug money as well and, therefore, the bar under Section 37 of the NDPS, 1985 is attracted. Furthermore, expressing concerns about the possibility of the petitioner fleeing from the trial proceedings, learned State counsel submits that petitioner ought not be granted the concession of regular bail. He has, accordingl