CRM-M/41778/2026 of LAKHBIR SINGH Vs STATE OF HARYANA on 10 September 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

Date of Decision: 10.09.2026

CRM-M-41778-2026

Lakhbir Singh

…Petitioner

V/s State of Haryana

…Respondent

CRM-M-39793-2026

Manjit Singh

…Petitioner

V/s State of Haryana

…Respondent

CRM-M-40284-2026

Chandan Kumar

…Petitioner

V/s State of Haryana

…Respondent

CRM-M-42160-2026

Swaran Singh

…Petitioner

V/s State of Haryana

…Respondent

CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKRAM AGGARWAL Present: Mr. Sheesh Pal Singh, Advocate

for the petitioner in CRM-M-41778-2026.

Mr. Nandan Jindal, Advocate

for the petitioner in CRM-M-39793-2026.

Mr. Harinder Pal Singh Ishar, Advocate

for the petitioner in CRM-M-40284-2026

Mr. Gaurav Vir Singh Behl, Advocate and

Ms. Neha, Advocate,

for the petitioner in CRM-M-42160-2026.

Ms. Vasundhara Dalal Anand, Sr. DAG, Haryana.

*** VIKRAM AGGARWAL, J (ORAL)

This order shall dispose of the afore titled petitions filed by the

petitioner(s) under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, ‘the BNSS’), for the grant of regular bail in case FIR No.96 dated 15.04.2026 registered at Police Station GRP Ambala Cantt, under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short ‘the NDPS Act’).

2. On 15.04.2026, a secret information was received by the police officials of GRP and RPF posted at the Railway Station, Ambala Cantt that 6 persons, who were truck drivers, namely Mandeep, Chandan Kumar, Lakhbir Singh, Swaran Singh, Manjit Singh and Virender Singh had arrived by train from Madya Pradesh and that they were carrying narcotic substances. As per the information, they were stated to be sitting at the end of Platform No.2/4 with their bags and if a raid was conducted, they could be apprehended. Accordingly, a search was launched and 6 persons were found to be sitting at the end of Platform No.2/4. All 6 persons were carrying separate bags. They were apprehended. Upon their search, Mandeep Singh was found to be carrying 10 kg 650 grams of poppy husk; Virender Singh was found to be carrying 09 k.g. 810 grams of poppy husk; Chandan Kumar was found to be carrying 09 k.g. 830 grams of poppy husk; Lakhbir Singh was found to be carrying 09 k.g. 830 grams of poppy husk, Swaran Singh was found to be carrying 10 k.g. 50 grams of poppy husk and Manjit Singh was found to be carrying 6 k.g. 900 grams of poppy husk. The total weight of the contraband came to be 57 k.g. 70 grams.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submit that the petitioners have been falsely implicated. They submit that the investigating agency has erroneously clubbed the contraband and is taking it to be a commercial quantity whereas, concededly, it was found from separate bags. Learned counsel for the petitioners submit that the petitioners are in custody since 15.04.2026; investigation has been completed; challan has been presented; the

antecedents of the petitioners are largely clean except for one case against Manjit Singh under the NDPS Act, in which, he is on bail; charges have been framed, out of total 17 witnesses, none has been examined; trial will take a sufficiently long time and therefore, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioners in custody any longer.

4. Per contra, learned State counsel has opposed the bail application, stating that a commercial quantity of poppy husk was recovered from the 6 accused and they as per law, the quantity has to be clubbed and after clubbing, the same comes to a commercial quantity. She submits that if the petitioners are released on bail, they may try to influence and threaten the witnesses and may also abscond.

5. I have considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties.

6. Concededly, all the petitioners, who are stated to be drivers, were carrying separate bags. Separate amounts of contraband, as indicated in paragraph 2, were recovered from each bag. As to whether it can be said to be a commercial quantity and the petitioners would be liable for the entire contraband would be determined during the course of the trial. The issue indeed is debatable. This fact assumes more importance as there is no allegation that the petitioners are a part of some drug racket or that they were smuggling the contraband. All four are in custody since 15.04.2026. Investigation has been completed. Final report has been submitted. Charges have been framed and their antecedents are largely clean except for one case against Manjit Singh under the NDPS Act, in which, he is on bail. Out of 17 witnesses, none has been examined as of now. It is, therefore, clear that the trial will take a sufficiently long time and in the considered opinion of this Court, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody

any longer.

7. In view of the aforementioned facts and circumstances, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the present petitions are allowed. The petitioners are ordered to be released on regular bail on their furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/Duty Magistrate.

8. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

(VIKRAM AGGARWAL)

JUDGE September 10, 2026 vcgarg

Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No

Whether reportable

: Yes/No