204 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: October 31, 2025 Baljeet Singh alias Ballu ….Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ….Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present:- Mr. Baljinder Singh, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Baljinder Singh Sra, Additional AG Punjab.

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SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL)

Present third petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case bearing FIR No.113 dated 02.10.2018, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 201, 34, 397 & 411 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short ‘IPC’) and Sections 25/ 54/ 59 of the Arms Act, 1959 (for short ‘Arms Act’), at Police Station Khanauri, District Sangrur.

2. The gravamen of the allegations against the petitioner is that on 02.10.2018, Krishan Singh, Ex-Sarpanch of village Khanauri, District Sangrur, discovered the dead body of an unidentified person near the Ghaggar Bridge, Khanauri. The body was wrapped in clothes and appeared to have been discarded by unknown individuals with the intent to conceal or dispose of it. The police were informed, and an FIR was registered against unknown persons. During the course of investigation, Balwant Singh @ Banta made a statement to the police, stating that he was employed as a conductor on truck bearing registration number PB-5Q-9829. He identified the deceased as Paramjit Singh, who had been the driver of the said truck. Balwant Singh @ Banta disclosed that on 29.09.2018, both he and the deceased had loaded iron ore from Jharkhand for delivery at Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, and had successfully unloaded the consignment there. On the same day, four persons approached them on a motorcycle, claiming to be commission agents (brokers). They offered to arrange another load from Koop Kalan, District Sangrur, in exchange for a commission. The deceased, Paramjit Singh, agreed to the proposal. The four individuals introduced themselves as Harpinder Singh @ Bhindu, Sarabjit Singh @ Sahib Singh, Mandeep Singh @ Jatinder Singh, and Baljit Singh @ Ballu (petitioner herein), and they exchanged mobile numbers with the deceased. Balwant Singh @ Banta further stated that after this discussion, he returned to his home in Mandi Gobindgarh, while Paramjit Singh proceeded with plans to get the truck loaded from Koop Kalan through the aforesaid brokers. The deceased had also informed him that after completing the loading and unloading work at Amritsar, he would pick him (Balwant Singh @ Banta) up from his residence. However, Paramjit Singh never returned, and despite waiting for him, Balwant Singh @ Banta received no communication. Later, he came to know that some unknown persons had robbed the truck and murdered Paramjit Singh near village Khanauri. Based on these circumstances, he expressed suspicion that the petitioner, Baljit Singh @ Ballu, along with the other three named individuals, were involved in the murder of Paramjit Singh.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has iterated that the petitioner is in custody since 07.09.2022. Learned counsel has further argued that the petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question. Learned counsel has iterated that the case in hand is primarily of circumstantial evidence.

Learned counsel has further argued that co-accused, who had faced the trial, have since been acquitted vide judgment dated 15.11.2022 passed by the concerned Sessions Court and the petitioner (herein) is on same footing as the said co-accused. Learned counsel has further argued that the petitioner has suffered incarceration for more than 03 years. Thus, regular bail is prayed for.

4. Learned State counsel has filed the custody certificate dated 30.10.2025 as also short reply by way of an affidavit dated 30.10.2025 of Gurinder Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub-Division Moonak, District Sangrur in the Court today, which are taken on record. Lear