IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

214 CRM-M-67353-2025 Decided on : 05.12.2025 Manjit Singh Mand . . . Petitioner(s)

Versus State of Punjab . . . Respondent(s)

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH PRESENT: Mr. G.S. Verma, Advocate for the petitioner(s).

Mr. Sukhbeer Singh, DAG, Punjab.

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SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (Oral)

1. The instant petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 439 Cr.P.C.), for grant of regular bail to the petitioner, during the pendency of trial, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed here-under:-

Name of FIR Date Section(s) Police District Petitioner(s) No. Station Manjit Singh 10 06.03.2024 406, 420, 120-B of IPC,NRI Ludhiana Mand 1860 & 82 of the Registration Act, 1908

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He is a senior citizen of about 70 years of age and in custody since 31.07.2025. It is further submitted that co-accused Kamaljit Kaur @ Mand and Gagangian Deep Singh @ Mand have already been granted the concession of anticipatory bail by this Court vide orders dated 22.05.2025 and 07.08.2025, respectively (Annexures P-2 & P-3). Additionally, co-accused Ranjit Kaur has been granted the concession of regular bail by this Court vide order dated

26.09.2025 (Annexure P-4) and another co-accused, Sukhbir Singh, has been extended regular bail by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, vide order dated 18.10.2025 (Annexure P-5). It is also contended that all the alleged offences are triable by the Court of the learned Magistrate and the conclusion of trial is likely to take considerable time. Thus, applying the principle of parity and keeping in view the totality of the circumstances, learned counsel prays for grant of regular bail to the petitioner.

3. Learned State counsel, however, opposes the prayer for bail, keeping in view the nature of allegations and the seriousness of the offences involved. It is submitted that in case the petitioner is released on bail, there is every likelihood of his absconding from trial or indulging in similar activities.

4. This Court has heard learned counsel for the parties and carefully examined the material placed on record.

5. Considering that the offences alleged are triable by the Court of the learned Magistrate; co-accused Kamaljit Kaur @ Mand and Gagangian Deep Singh @ Mand have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court; co-accused Ranjit Kaur has been released on regular bail by this Court and another co-accused Sukhbir Singh has also been granted regular bail by the Court below; and also further taking note of the age of the petitioner as well as the period of custody suffered by him, this Court is of the opinion that no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner behind bars for an indefinite period. Accordingly, petitioner also deserves the concession of regular bail on the ground of parity and in the interest of justice.

Consequently, prayer made in the present petition is allowed.

Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail, subject to his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/ Chief Judicial Magistrate/Illaqa Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case.

6. Needless to observe that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly.

7. Any of the discussion done and recorded here-above, shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case. Therefore, trial Court is expected to decide the case by taking an independent view, on the basis of evidence available on record, as expeditiously as possible in accordance with law.

8. Petition stands disposed of.

Pending misc. application(s), if any, also stand(s) disposed of.

(SANJAY VASHISTH)

JUDGE December 05, 2025 J.Ram Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Rep