103 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 14.05.2026 Gurpreet Singh .....Petitioner versus State of Punjab ..... Respondent CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH BHARDWAJ ***

Present :- Mr. Vipin Mahajan, Senior Advocate with Ms. Chandanpreet Kaur Ahluwalia, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Ekompal Sagoo, AAG, Punjab.

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RAJESH BHARDWAJ , J.

1. Petitioner has approached this Court praying for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.62 dated 07.08.2025, under Sections 109, 351(2), 191(3), 190 of BNS and Sections 25, 27 of the Arms Act, registered at Police Station Jhander, District Amritsar, Punjab.

2. Succinctly facts of the case are that the FIR in the present case has been lodged on the statement of Kamaljit Singh. It was alleged that on 07.08.2025 at about 03:45 PM, his nephew Jasdeep Singh, his brother Gurpal Singh and Jasdeep Singh’s wife namely, Jatinder Kaur were present at the house of Jasdeep Singh. At that time, they heard the sound of abusive language coming from outside in the street. Upon this, the complainant, Jasdeep Singh and Gurpal Singh came outside the house and saw that in the street, Gurpreet Singh (present petitioner) was armed with a rifle, his son Sukhmanpreet Singh was armed with a revolver and about 10-15 unknown persons carrying datars and kirpans were abusing his nephew Jasdeep Singh. When the complainant tried to pacify and explain the matter to them, Gurpreet Singh raised a lalkara and he shouted to his son, Sukhman, shoot Jasdeep Singh. On hearing this, he started firing directly towards them. Consequently, Jasdeep Singh and Gurpal Singh ran inside the house to save themselves. The complainant also ran inside behind them and while he was about to close the gate of the house, a bullet fired from the side of Gurpreet Singh struck him on the left side of his chest near the shoulder and two pellets also hit his abdomen and one pellet hit his left arm. Thereafter, while extending threats to kill the complainant party, all the accused persons fled away from the spot along with their respective weapons in their vehicles. Subsequently, Jasdeep Singh and Gurpal Singh arranged a vehicle and admitted the complainant for treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar. Request was made to take legal action against the culprits. On registration of the FIR, investigation commenced. Apprehending arrest, petitioner approached the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar praying for grant of anticipatory bail. However, after hearing counsel for both the sides, the same was declined vide order dated 16.10.2025. Hence, being aggrieved, petitioner is before this Court by way of filing the present petition.

3. Learned Senior counsel for the petitioner has contended that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He has contended that during the alleged occurrence, the petitioner himself sustained firearm injuries. He has further argued that the complainant party not only opened fire from their respective weapons but also hurled brickbats towards the side of the petitioner. He has submitted that despite the petitioner having suffered firearm injuries, no cross-case was registered by the police and the mother of the petitioner was constrained to file a criminal complaint before the Court of Illaqa Magistrate. He has submitted that while the complainant is leading a normal life, the petitioner remained hospitalized for three days, underwent surgery and a bullet was extracted from his right thigh. He thus, submits that in the facts and circumstances of the case, no prima facie case as alleged is made out and hence, petitioner deserves to be granted anticipatory bail.

4. Per contra, learned State counsel has vehemently opposed the submissions made by counsel for the petitioner. He has submitted that the petitioner in connivance with the co-accused had opened attack on the complainant party and caused severe injuries to them. He has submitted