Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 483 BNSS (439 Cr.P.C.) is for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.231 dated 23.08.2025, registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended Act 2018), at Police Station Dinanagar, District Gurdaspur.

2. Learned Senior Counsel contends that the petitioner, who has an unblemished service record of 35 years and is due to retire within 7 months, is in custody for 2 months and 17 days. He alleges false implication. The allegations against him by the complainant, whose family is involved in 17 cases under the Excise Act and NDPS Act, are that he had sought bribe of Rs.5,000/-, not to involve them in the case under the NDPS Act. Challan has been presented on 19.03.2026, however, charges are yet to be framed and there are, in all, 16 PWs. He is not involved in any other case.

3. Learned State counsel opposes the bail on the ground that there are specific allegations against the petitioner of having taken Rs.5,000/- as a bribe from the complainant. However, he is unable to controvert the submissions with regard to stage of the case and the petitioner being not involved in any other case.

4. Heard.

5.