Criminal antecedents of an accused cannot be the sole basis for denying regular bail if the specific facts and circumstances of the current case justify the grant of bail and the trial is likely to be prolonged.

SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL)

1. Present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.29 dated 9.3.2026 under Sections 110 , 115, 118(1), 126, 190, 191(3), 324(5), 351(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, registered at Police Station Raipur Rani, District Panchkula.

2. The case set up in the FIR in question (as set out in the present petition by the petitioner) is as follows:-

‘The gist of the copy is as follows Statement of Reshav son of Vedpal resident of Raipur Rani district Panchkula age 18 years Mob.9729600286 stated that I am a resident of the above address and I work as a farmer. About a year ago I had an argument with Chintu resident of Barwala over some issue, since then Chintu had a grudge against me. Today on 09.03.2026 1, my maternal uncle's son Badan son of Sukhbir Singh, Prince son of Pradeep resident of Mouli Mahabir Farm Raipur Rani had come to a wedding. After eating food at the wedding, all three of us left for our home to Mouli in my car no. HR03AF 8107 brand Swift Bar color black. At around 03.00 PM when we reached near Raipur Rani tehsil office on Raipur Rani Narayangarh road, suddenly a white coloured Swift car came in front of my car. It stopped and blocked my way. I was driving my car and as soon as I applied brakes to my car, another white coloured car came and stopped behind my car and 8/9 boys from both the cars came with sticks and axes in their hands and started hitting my car with sticks and axes loudly and started abusing me. After breaking the glass of my car, Ranbir alias Raniya attacked my shoulders and arms and Vikant alias Chintu resident of Barwala tried to hit me on the head with the axe held in his hand, then I immediately stopped it with my right hand and the axe hit my right hand. Ashish alias Sheesha resident of Barwala attacked my nose with the stick held in his hand. Ashish resident of Barwala, Jassi resident of Naya village and Golu Gupta resident of Barwala and Dhillla Jat resident of Naya village and 2/3 other boys whose names I do not know, I can identify them if they come in front of me. All of them attacked me with sticks and axes. They attacked my car and damaged it completely. When I shouted for help, many people gathered at the spot, seeing whom the culprits fled from the spot with their vehicles along with their weapons saying that you have escaped today, next time we will kill you. Ranbir alias Raniya is also a resident of Barwala. Due to old enmity, the above culprits conspired with each other and blocked my way with their vehicles and inflicted severe injuries on me with sticks and axes and completely damaged my car. After some time, my friends arrived at the spot, picked me up and took me to CHC Raipur Rani, from where after treatment, Dr. Sahib referred me to GH Panchkula, where I am currently undergoing treatment. I have written a statement that legal action should be taken against the above culprits.’

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that the petitioner is in custody since 14.3.2026. Learned counsel has further argued that the petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question. Learned counsel has further submitted that, assuming arguendo, the prosecution version is taken to be correct, the petitioner has given an injury upon the injured with blunt weapon. Learned counsel has further submitted that challan, upon culmination of investigation, has already been presented. Thus, regular bail is prayed for.

4. Learned State counsel has opposed the present petition by arguing that the allegations ra