CRM-M/48128/2026 of SANDEEP PANJETA @ SANDEEP KUMAR Vs STATE OF HARYANA on 2 September 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

CRM-M-48128-2026

SANDEEP PANJETA @ SANDEEP KUMAR ….Petitioner Versus STATE OF HARYANA …Respondent Date of Decision: 02.09.2026 Date of Uploading: 03.09.2026

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL

Present:- Mr. Jaivir S. Chandail, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Gurmeet Singh, AAG, Haryana.

Mr. Biijender Dhankhar, Advocate for the complainant.

***** SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL)

Present 1st petition has been filed under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 seeking grant of regular bail to the petitioner, in case FIR No. 129 dated 21.04.2026, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 108 of BNS (Section 333, 351(2), 61(2), 318(4) of BNS, 2023 added later on) at Police Station Ladwa, District Kurukshetra, Haryana.

2. The FIR in question pertains to the suicide to one Labh Singh.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has iterated that the petitioner is in custody since 13.05.2026. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further urged that the genesis of the suicide of deceased-Labh Singh is the actually money related dispute in which no criminal culpability can be fastened upon petitioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further argued that the offence under Section108 of the BNS (erstwhile 306 of the IPC) is not made out against the petitioner. To buttress his arguments, learned counsel relies upon the dicta of the judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Mohit Singhal & Anr. Vs. The CRM-M-State of Uttarkhand & Ors., 2024 (1) SCC 417 and Abhinav Mohan Delkar Vs. The State of Maharashtra and others, 2025 AIR SC 3823. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further urged that the challan upon culmination of investigation, already stands filed. It has been further contended that the petitioner has already suffered incarceration of more than 03 months and has clean antecedents. On the strength of these submissions, the grant of regular bail is entreated for.

4. Learned State counsel has opposed the present petition by arguing that the allegations raised against the petitioner are serious in nature and, thus, the petitioner does not deserve the concession of the regular bail. Learned State counsel seeks to place on record the custody certificate dated 02.09.2026, in Court today, which is taken on record.

5. In oppugnation, learned counsel for the complainant has opposed the grant of regular bail to the petitioner by arguing that there are direct/serious allegations against the petitioner. Learned counsel for the complainant has further urged that the petitioner is likely to abscond from the process of justice as also to interfere with the prime prosecution witness in case the petitioner enlarged on regular bail. On the strength of these submissions, the grant of regular bail is entreated for.

6. I have heard counsel for the rival parties and have gone through the available records of the case.

7. The petitioner was arrested on 13.05.2026 and remain in custody since then; challan, upon culmination of investigation, already stands filed on 01.07.2026 and total 31 prosecution witnesses have been cited, but none has been examined till date. The rival contention raised at Bar give rise to debatable issues, which shall essentially be ratiocinated upon during the course of trial. This Court does not deem it appropriate to delve deep into these rival contentions, at this stage, lest it may prejudice the trial. Nothing tangible has been brought forward to indicate the likelihood of the petitioner absconding from the process of justice or interfering with the prosecution evidence. As per custody certificate dated 31.08.2026 filed by learned State counsel, the petitioner has already suffered incarceration for a period of 03 months & 16 days.

8. Keeping in view the entire factual milieu of the case in hand; It being a moot point as to whether the offence under Section 108 of BNS (corresponding Section 306 of IPC) is made out against the petitioner, challan has already been filed, total 31 prosecution witness have been cited and trial will not culminate in the near future, since not even a single witness have been examined till date*;, this Court is inclined to afford regular bail to the petitioner.

Suffice to say, further detention of the petitioner as an undertrial is not warranted in the facts and circumstances of the case.

9. In view of above, the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, if not required in any other case, on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Ld. concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate. However, in addition to conditions that may be imposed by the concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate, the petitioner shall remain bound by the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner shall not mis-use the liberty granted.

(ii) The petitioner shall not tamper with any evidence, oral or documentary, during the trial.

(iii) The petitioner shall not absent himself on any date before the trial.

(iv) The petitioner shall not commit any offence while on bail.

(v) The petitioner shall deposit his passport, if any, with the trial Court.

(vi) The petitioner shall give his cellphone number to the Investigating Officer/SHO of concerned Police Station and shall not change his cell-phone number without prior permission of the trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate.

(vii) The petitioner shall not in any manner try to delay the trial.

10. In case of breach of any of the aforesaid conditions and those which may be imposed by concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate as directed hereinabove or upon showing any other sufficient cause, the State/complainant shall be at liberty to move for cancellation of bail of the petitioner.

11. Ordered accordingly.

12. Nothing said hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.

11. Since the main case has been decided, pending miscellaneous application, if any, shall also stand disposed off.

(SUMEET GOEL)

JUDGE September 02, 2026 Kamal Gandhi

Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No