IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

231 CRM-M-44473-2025 (O&M)

Date of decision: 27.10.2025 Jagjeet Singh @ Jaggi @ Chini ...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present:- Mr. Manjinder Singh Saini, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab.

MANISHA BATRA, J. (Oral)

1. This petition has been filed by the petitioner under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking regular bail in case bearing FIR No. 22 dated 09.11.2023, registered under Sections 384, 506, 120-B and 411 of IPC and Section 25 and 25(7) of the Arms Act at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, District SAS Nagar, Mohali.

2. The aforementioned FIR was registered on the allegations that on 09.11.2023, a secret information was received by SI Manpreet Singh, posted at Police Station SSOC, Mohali, that Gaurav Patial @ Lucky, who was ring leader of Devinder Bambiha gang operating from abroad and involved in extracting ransom money from the businessmen of Punjab by extending threats to kill them, had been operating through the present petitioner and co- accused Anmol Singh, Manpreet Singh and some unknown persons in the State of Punjab and said Gaurav Patial had sent illegal weapons to the above named persons in huge quantity for facilitating commission of offences of extortion. It was also informed that the petitioner, along with the accused Anmol Singh and Manpreet Singh, was coming on a motorbike from Ludhiana side while being armed with weapons to do some target killing and could be apprehended along with huge cache of weapons. Believing the secret information to be true, the aforementioned FIR was registered. A barricade was laid and the petitioner, along with co-accused and Anmol Singh and Manpreet Singh, was arrested when they came riding on a motorbike in that area. On checking, one pistol of .32 bore and five live cartridges were recovered from the custody of the petitioner, whereas, one .32 bore pistol and three live cartridges each from the custody of the co-accused were recovered, which were taken into possession. The petitioner and co-accused were interrogated and they suffered disclosure statements. As per the disclosure made by the petitioner, it was on asking of Gaurav Patial @ Lucky that he had brought six pistols from Madhya Pradesh and had handed over two pistols to one Sukhchain Dass @ Deep, who was also nominated as an accused. Some other persons were also nominated as such and arrested subsequently. Recoveries were also effected from them. Investigation now stands completed and chalan has been presented in the Court.

3. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case. A false recovery has been planted upon him. He is in custody since 09.11.2023. Co-accused Manpreet Singh, Shukchain Dass, Anmol Singh and Ricky Ghai @ Lakha have been extended benefit of bail. On parity, he too deserves to be extended the same benefit. He is on bail in other cases registered against him. Even otherwise, his involvement in those cases cannot be considered to be a reason to reject his petition. Conclusion of trial is likely to take time. No useful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody anymore. It is, therefore, urged that he deserves to be released on bail.

4. Per contra, learned State counsel has argued that keeping in view the gravity of the allegations levelled against the petitioner as well as his criminal antecedents, he does not deserve to be extended benefit of bail.

Hence, it is urged that petition is liable to be dismissed.

5. This Court has heard the rival submissions of both the sides.

6. The petitioner along with the co-accused is alleged to be found in possession of illicit weapons i.e. one.32 bore pistol and five live cartridges. As per the allegations, he was the member of a gang involved in extorting money from the businessmen of the State of Punjab by extending threats t