CRM-M/33585/2026 of AMIT KUMAR @ LADI Vs STATE OF PUNJAB on 26 August 2026

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(237) IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

CRM-M-33585-2026 Date of Decision: 26.08.2026 AMIT KUMAR ALIAS LADI ... Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASJIT SINGH BEDI Present: Mr. H.S. Multani, Advocate with Mr. Ramaninder S. Jugal, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Kuljinder Singh, Asstt. A.G., Punjab. **** JASJIT SINGH BEDI, J. The prayer in the present petition under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 is for the grant of regular bail in case bearing FIR No.221 dated 26.12.2025 registered under Sections 308(4), 351(2) BNS, 2023 (Sections 61(2), 111, 109(1), 324(5), 249 of BNS, 2023 added later on) [Sections 387, 506, 120-B, 307, 212 of IPC) and Section 25 of Arms Act at Police Station City-2, Khanna, Ludhiana.

2. The present FIR came to be registered at the instance of Ashu Vijan S/o Manohar Lal Vijan and the same reads as under: Today, application number 1514-SPL dated 25.12.2025 from Ashu Vijan S/O Manohar Lal Vijan, resident of House No. 209, Khatika Mohalla, Khanna, P.S. City-2 Khanna, was received at the police station. The contents of which are as follows: "To, The Station House Officer, Police Station City-2, Khanna. Subject: Regarding JITESH LAL

CRM-M-33585-2026 -2- death threats and demand for a ransom of 5 crores. Sir, It is submitted that I, Ashu Vijan S/O Manohar Lal Vijan, am a resident of House No. 209, Khatika Mohalla, Khanna. I am a law-abiding citizen. I have a clothing showroom in Dhobian Wali Gali. Today, on 25-12-2025 at about 11:01 AM, I received a voice message on my WhatsApp from mobile number +64223660962 on my mobile number 9623634567. When I listened to the voice message, the person identified himself as Goldy Brar. After mentioning my work, he threatened to kill me and demanded a ransom of 5 Crores. He threatened to kill my family if the amount was not paid within 48 hours. Thereafter, on 25-12-2025, in the evening at about 7:19 PM, another voice message was received from the said number stating that my 24 hours were over, and he again threatened to kill my family. He then sent the same voice recording, which I had received at 11:01 AM, to my elder brother, whose name is Monu Vijan. His number is 98881-33274. He received the same voice recording at 6:45 PM on 25-12-2025. An atmosphere of great fear has been created for me and my family. There is a threat to the life and property of myself and my brother's family. This number should be traced and the culprits arrested as soon as possible. Yours faithfully, Ashu Vijan S/O Manohar Lal Vijan, resident of House No. 209, Khatika Mohalla, Khanna, 8288000104, 9623634567. Sd/-Ashu Vijan.”

3. Pursuant to the registration of the FIR, firing took place at the house of the complainant/Ashu Vijan. The Investigating Agency recovered two empty cartridge cases and a magazine containing 7 live cartridges of 7.62 mm near a burnt car bearing Registration No.PB-46-Y-1111 belonging to the complainant. During investigation, CCTV footage and other investigative leads were examined and the movements of the persons involved were traced JITESH LAL

CRM-M-33585-2026 -3- towards Flat No.1101, Sector 88, Hero Homes, Tower-2, Mohali. Various accused persons were apprehended and interrogated and the entire conspiracy, the arrangement of shooters, weapons and motorcycles and the role played by different accused persons started unfolding. During further investigation, it was revealed that four shooters had come for execution of the crime and were provided shelter at Flat No. 1101, Sector 88, Hero Homes, Tower 2, Mohali occupied by co-accused Vivek Watts @ Vivek, Harpreet Singh @ Peeta and Paramveer Singh @ Pamma. It transpired that the weapons supplied for the shooters by Vikramjit Singh @ Vicky were brought by Harpreet Singh @ Peeta and Paramveer Singh @ Pamma on the instructions of Vivek Watts. Vivek Watts @ Vivek was apprehended and disclosed the name of the present petitioner with the allegations that the petitioner had provided the mobile numbers of complainant/Ashu Vijan and his brother Monu Vijan for execution of the extortion plan. As per the case of the prosecution, the petitioner assisted in identifying/selecting the complainant as the target and supplied the contact particulars/mobile numbers necessary for carrying out the extortion threats.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case only on the basis of the disclosure statement of co-accused Vivek Watts @ Vivek. Even as per the said disclosure statement, the petitioner is alleged to have provided the mobile phone of the complainant, enabling the other accused to make JITESH LAL

CRM-M-33585-2026 -4- extortion calls to him. The allegations qua the petitioner have not been substantiated during the course of the investigation. Pursuant to the arrest of the petitioner, no recovery of any incriminating article has been effected from him. As he is in custody since 27.01.2026 but none of the 12 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far, the Trial of the present case is not likely to conclude in the near future and therefore the petitioner is entitled to the concession of regular bail.

5. A reply dated 24.08.2026 by way of an affidavit of Vinod Kumar, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Police District Khanna, District Ludhiana has been filed on behalf of the State by the learned counsel for the State. The same is taken on record. While referring to the reply, he contends that the allegations against the petitioner are grave. He is part of a gang led by one Goldy Brar. The nature of the allegations do not entitle him to the concession of regular bail. He, however, concedes that the petitioner is in custody since 27.01.2026 but none of the 12 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far.

6. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties.

7. The veracity of the prosecution case against the petitioner and his co-accused shall be adjudicated upon during the course of the Trial. Admittedly, the petitioner is in custody since 27.01.2026 but none of the 12 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far. Therefore, the Trial of the present case is not likely to be concluded anytime soon. In this situation the further incarceration of the petitioner is not required. JITESH LAL

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8. Thus without commenting on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed and the petitioner-Amit Kumar @ Ladi S/o Ramesh Kumar is ordered to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of learned CJM/Duty Magistrate, concerned.

9. The petitioner shall appear before the police station concerned on the first Monday of every month till the conclusion of the Trial and inform in writing each time that he is not involved in any other crime other than the cases mentioned in the State reply dated 24.08.2026.

10. If the petitioner or his family members/associates make any attempt to contact/threaten/intimidate the witnesses in the present case, the State would be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of bail granted vide this order.

11. In addition, the petitioner (or anyone on his behalf) shall prepare an FDR in the sum of Rs.5,00,000/- and deposit the same with the Trial Court. The same would be liable to be forfeited as per law in case of the absence of the petitioner from the trial without sufficient cause.

12. The petition stands disposed of. (JASJIT SINGH BEDI) JUDGE 26.08.2026 JITESH Whether speaking/reasoned:- Yes/No Whether reportable:- Yes/No JITESH LAL