(111)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-49956-2025 (O & M)

Date of Decision: 01.04.2026 Naveen @ Chota ... Petitioner Versus State of Haryana ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASJIT SINGH BEDI Present: Mr. Sanpreet Sandhu, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Viney Phogat, DAG, Haryana.

****

JASJIT SINGH BEDI, J.

The prayer in the present petition under Section 483 BNSS, 2023 is for the grant of regular bail in case bearing FIR No.292 dated 29.07.2020 under Sections 148, 149, 364-A, 379B, 342, 341, 323, 120-B, 384, 387, 201 and 216 IPC registered at Police Station Madlauda, Panipat.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that two PWs, namely, Rajat Dutt and Ved Pal have turned hostile, though, the charges have been re-framed on account of the arrest of the other accused. As the petitioner is in custody since 07.12.2021 but only 01 of the 51 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far pursuant to the re-framing of the charges, the Trial is not likely to be concluded anytime soon and therefore, the petitioner is entitled to the concession of bail, moreso, when 40 of the 42 accused have already been granted the similar concession of bail.

3. The learned counsel for the State, on the other hand, while referring to the status report dated 06.12.2025 contends that the nature of the allegations levelled against the petitioner do not entitle him to the concession as prayed for. He, however, concedes that two material prosecution witnesses were examined during the course of the initial Trial and have not supported the prosecution case, that the petitioner is in custody since 07.12.2021 and that only 01 of the 51 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far pursuant to the re-framing of the charges.

4. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties.

5. Admittedly two material prosecution witnesses have turned hostile. 40 out of 42 accused have been granted the concession of bail. The petitioner is in custody since 07.12.2021 and as many as 50 prosecution witnesses remain to be examined. Therefore, the Trial of the present case is not likely to be concluded anytime soon. In this situation, the further incarceration of the petitioner is not required.

6. Thus without commenting on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed and petitioner-Naveen @ Chota is ordered to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of learned CJM/Duty Magistrate, concerned.

7. The petitioner shall appear before the police station concerned on the first Monday of every month till the conclusion of the trial and inform in writing each time that he is not involved in any other case/crime other than the case(s) referred to in the status report dated 06.12.2025 filed by the State.

8. If any attempt whatsoever is made by the petitioner and/or his family members/friends to contact/threaten/intimidate any of the witnesses of the present occurrence, the State/complainant shall be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of bail granted vide this order.

9. In addition, the petitioner (or anyone on his behalf) shall prepare an FDR in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- and deposit the same with the Trial Court. The same would be liable to be forfeited as per law in case of the absence of the petitioner from Trial without sufficient cause.

10. The petition stands disposed of.

11. The pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of accordingly.

(JASJIT SINGH BEDI)

01.04.2026 JUDGE sukhpreet