CRM-M/17568/2026 of NAVTEJ SINGH @ DHODHI Vs STATE OF PUNJAB on 21 July 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 21.07.2026 CRM-M-17568-2026 NAVTEJ SINGH @ DHODHI ... PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...RESPONDENTS CRM-M-8098-2026 SUKHWINDER SINGH @ SUKHA ... PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASJIT SINGH BEDI Present: Mr. R.S. Sekhon, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. M.S. Toor, AAG Punjab. **** JASJIT SINGH BEDI, J. This order shall dispose of two petitions i.e. CRM-M-17568- 2026 and CRM-M-8098-2026 as they arise out of the same FIR.

2. The prayer in the present petitions under Section 483 BNSS is for the grant of regular bail in case bearing FIR No.146 dated 09.09.2022 registered under Sections 302, 307, 336, 447, 120-B, 148, 149 of IPC (Sections 103, 109, 125, 329(3), 61(2), 191(3), 190 BNS, 2023) and Sections 25, 27 and 29 of Arms Act, 1959 at Police Station Mallanwala, District Ferozepur. KUSUM

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners contends that the petitioners have been falsely implicated in the present case only on the basis of the statement of one Darbara Singh, who allegedly overheard the petitioners talking with their co-accused that they were going to take possession of the land in question. No other overt act has been attributed to them. As the petitioners namely Navtej Singh @ Dhodhi and Sukhwinder Singh @ Sukha are in custody since 07.01.2023 and 24.07.2025 respectively but none of the 32 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far, the Trial of the present case is not likely to be concluded anytime soon and therefore, they are entitled to the concession of bail.

4. The learned counsel for the State, on the other hand, contends that it is a case of double murder, and therefore, the petitioners are not entitled to the concession of bail as prayed for. He, however, concedes that as per the prosecution case, the petitioners were overheard saying that they were going to take possible possession of the land that day, and other than the said allegation, no other act has been attributed to them. He also concedes that the petitioners namely Navtej Singh @ Dhodhi and Sukhwinder Singh @ Sukha are in custody since 07.01.2023 and 24.07.2025 respectively but none of the 32 prosecution witnesses has been examined so far.

5. 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 petitioners namely Navtej Singh @ Dhodhi and Sukhwinder Singh @ Sukha are in custody since 07.01.2023 and 24.07.2025 respectively KUSUM

but none of the 32 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 petitioners is not required.

6. Thus without commenting on the merits of the case, the present petitions are allowed and petitioners namely Navtej Singh @ Dhodhi S/o Heera Singh and Sukhwinder Singh @ Sukha S/o Gurdial Singh are ordered to be released on bail subject to their furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of learned CJM/Duty Magistrate, concerned.

7. The petitions stand disposed of.

8. All the pending miscellaneous applications, if any, stand disposed of.

9. A photocopy of this order be placed on the file of the connected case. (JASJIT SINGH BEDI) JUDGE 21.07.2026 kusum Whether speaking/reasoned:- Yes/No Whether reportable:- Yes/No KUSUM