IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

228+106 Date of Decision: 11.02.2026 Daler Singh ... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present: Mr. Charanjit Singh Baahia, Advocate and Mr. Brijesh Nandan, Advocate, for the applicant-petitioner.

Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab, for the respondent-State.

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MANISHA BATRA , J. (Oral)

CRM-44798-2025 The application is allowed, as prayed for and document Annexure P-1 is taken on record.

Main Case

1. The present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) by the petitioner seeking grant of regular bail in case bearing FIR No. 298 dated 31.12.2023 registered under Sections 21 and 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985 (for short ‘NDPS Act’) and Section 25 of Arms Act, 1959 (For short “Act, 1959”) (Sections 21(c), 23, 25 and

27-A of NDPS Act and Sections 25(6), 25(7) and 25(8) of Act, 1959 were added later on) at Police station Islamabad, District Police Commissionerate Amritsar.

2. As per the allegations, on 31.12.2023, a secret information was received to the effect that the accused Sandeep Singh @ Laadi and Roshan Singh were having connection with one Manpreet Singh @ Monu residing in the USA and who, in connivance with notorious smugglers of Pakistan was indulged in the supply of contraband, arms and ammunition for bringing all these from Pakistan and the above named persons were indulged in the same business along with him. It was also informed that at that moment, they were present in a Verna car in the area of Guru Nanak Dev University and could be apprehended with illegal weapons and drugs, if raid was conducted. Believing the secret information to be true, a raiding party was immediately formed. Ruqa was sent to the police station. The above named Sandeep Singh and Roshan Singh were apprehended from the spot. On conducting their personal search as well as search of the vehicle, 19 kgs of heroin, one pistol 9 MM glock, one country made pistol, twelve live cartridges and one electronic scale were recovered from the car. They were formally arrested. The recovered articles were taken into possession. Accused Sandeep Singh suffered disclosure statement on the basis of which drug money of Rs.15 lakh, 3 more pistols and live cartridges were recovered from his rented accommodation. On his disclosure, the petitioner and some other persons were nominated as additional accused. As per his disclosure, the present petitioner was his associate who on his instructions had once brought 03 kgs. of heroin from Batala. The petitioner who was already in custody in some other case was joined into investigation of this case through production warrants and was formally arrested on 10.06.2024. He too suffered a disclosure statement admitting that he had formed a gang with the co- accused Sandeep Singh @ Laddi and used to supply the contraband given by accused Sandeep Singh @ Laddi. In November 2023, he had brought 03 kg. of heroin on Activa from Batala for which he had received a sum of Rs.10,000/- from accused Sandeep Singh @ Laddi. Some other accused were subsequently arrested. Investigation now stands concluded.

3. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case on the basis of disclosure statement allegedly suffered by co-accused Sandeep Singh @ Laddi which cannot be considered to be admissible in evidence. He was not named in the FIR. No recovery has been effected from him. He is in continuous custody w.e.f 10.06.2024. There are no chances of conclusion of trial in near future. His prolonged incarceration militates against the provisions of Article 21 of Constitution of India. Similarly situated co-accused have been extended benefit of bail. It is, therefore, argued that he deserves to be released on bail. 4. Status report and custody certificate have been filed. Learned Assistant Advocate General, Punjab ha