CRM-M/46905/2026 of HARPREET SINGH @ HARRY Vs STATE OF PUNJAB on 26 August 2026

1. This is the first petition seeking regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 (U/s 439 Cr.P.C.) in FIR No. 98 Dated 16.07.2025 under Section 105, 3(5) of BNS, (erstwhile 304 and 34 of IPC), Police Station Chamkaur Sahib, District Rupnagar.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the present FIR was registered on the statement of complainant Karamjit Kaur that she was married to Kuljit Singh, who was serving in the Indian Army. On 15.07.2025 at about 7:00 PM, she received a routine phone call from her husband. During the conversation, she heard the voice of another person asking her husband about the identity of the caller. Kuljit Singh disclosed that his wife was on the call, whereupon, at the asking of the said person, he disconnected the call. When she subsequently tried to contact her husband, his mobile phone was found unreachable. The complainant identified the voice of the said person as that of Harpreet Singh @ Harry. The complainant further stated that she had earlier noticed that whenever her husband came home on leave from the Indian Army, Harpreet Singh @ Harry attempted to develop close friendship with him with the intention of misusing his money and used JANKI BHATT

to induce him to indulge in wrongful activities. When Kuljit Singh failed to return home, a search was conducted, but he could not be traced. On 16.07.2025 at about 8:00 AM, the complainant, along with her father-in-law Arjan Singh, went to the house of Harpreet Singh @ Harry on account of their suspicion. There, they met Balvir Singh, father of Harpreet Singh, and Gagan, his brother, who stated that they had no knowledge about Kuljit Singh but disclosed that Harpreet Singh had called Gagan at about 11:00 PM the previous night, pursuant to which Gagan had brought him home from village Khokhra. Thereafter, the complainant and her father-in-law went near the petrol pump at village Khokhra, where they noticed a white- coloured car parked behind the village water tank. The vehicle belonged to Kuljit Singh, who was found lying unconscious on the driver's seat with vomit on his body. Then the police was informed. The complainant expressed a serious suspicion that Harpreet Singh @ Harry, either himself or in connivance with his accomplice, had forcibly administered some poisonous substance to Kuljit Singh, resulting in his death.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. The deceased had died due to aspiration resulting from an overdose. He further submits that the petitioner is in custody for the last 01 year, 01 month and 06 days. He, thus, prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. Notice of motion.

5. Mr. Subhash Godara, Addl. A.G., Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the State and has vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of regular bail to the petitioner on the ground of gravity of allegations. He has filed the custody certificate in the Court today and the same is taken on JANKI BHATT

record. He submits that the petitioner is in custody for the last 01 year, 01 month and 06 days.

6. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

7. After hearing the rival contentions of the learned counsel for the parties and keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case that the petitioner is in custody for the last 01 year, 01 month and 06 days; the trial is likely to take time and continuous detention of the petitioner would not serve the ends of justice, this Court deems it fit to grant the concession of regular bail to the petitioner during the pendency of the trial. Moreover, ‘bail is the rule and jail is the exception’.

8. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the instant petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing requisite bail bonds, surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned.

9. Nothing discussed hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.

10. It is clarified that while on bail so granted through the instant order, if the petitioner is found indulging in any other criminal case, it shall be open to the State to seek cancellation of his bail.

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

(H.S.GREWAL) 26.08.2026

JUDGE Janki Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No JANKI BHATT