CRM-M-39703-2025 CRM-M-46219-2025 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 291 v. CRM-M- 46219-2025 SATNAM SINGH ALIAS SATTA STATE OF PUNJAB
Case Details
CRM-M-39703-2025 CRM-M-46219-2025 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 291 CRM-M- 39703-2025 RANJIT SINGH ALIAS RANA STATE OF PUNJAB Versus CRM-M- 46219-2025 SATNAM SINGH ALIAS SATTA STATE OF PUNJAB Versus ......Petitioner ......Respondent ......Petitioner ......Respondent Decided on : 11.11.2025
Legal Reasoning
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Ruhani Chadha, Advocate, for the petitioners (in both the cases). Mr. Vinay Malhotra, DAG, Punjab. **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. 1. By this common order, both the aforementioned petitions, i.e. CRM-M-39703-2025 and CRM-M-46219-2025 are being disposed of, as both the petitioners namely Ranjit Singh alias Rana and Satnam Singh alias Satta, are facing proceedings on account of registration of one common FIR, bearing No.149 dated 02.12.2022, registered at Police Station Barnala, District Barnala, under Sections 15, 25 of NDPS Act, and offence under Section 29 of NDPS Act, and offence under Section 473 IPC, added later on. LAVISHA 2025.11.11 17:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-39703-2025 CRM-M-46219-2025 2 2. As per the case of prosecution, on 02.12.2022, while patrolling near the Main Highway Barnala/Moga Road, ASI Tarsem Singh along with other police officials, including SC Dharminder Singh and C. Jaspreet Singh, noticed a closed container body, bearing registration number, HR 67B 4885 parked near Kartar Palace. At the rear of the container, two persons, namely Beant Singh alias Ant and Manpreet Singh alias Mani, were seen standing by the open door carrying white plastic bags, which aroused suspicion that they were in possession of some intoxicant substance. Acting upon this suspicion, police party stopped the vehicle. Subsequently, SI/SHO of Police Station Pakho Kenchian, along with other officials, reached the spot. Owing to further suspicion of narcotic involvement, Gazetted Officer, Satbir Singh, PPS/DSP Barnala, was called to the scene. Both Beant Singh and Manpreet Singh were apprised of their legal rights under Section 50 of the NDPS Act, after which the DSP directed the search of container. Upon conducting search, 90 bags containing small pieces of poppy husk (opium poppy straw) were recovered, each weighing around 20 kg, amounting to total 1800 kg. The recovered contraband and the container were seized, and case was registered against Beant Singh alias Ant and Manpreet Singh alias Mani under Sections 15, 25, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that petitioners have been implicated in the present case solely on the basis of the confessional statements of co-accused Beant Singh alias Ant and Manpreet Singh alias Mani. It is further submitted that petitioner Satnam LAVISHA 2025.11.11 17:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-39703-2025 CRM-M-46219-2025 3 Singh alias Satta is in custody since 29.12.2022, while petitioner Ranjit Singh alias Rana is in custody since 03.03.2025. After completion of investigation, challan was presented on 04.06.2025, and out of total 19 prosecution witnesses, 10 have been examined and 2 have been given up, so far. Learned counsel for the petitioners argues that there is no connecting evidence linking the petitioners with the recovery of huge quantity of 1800 kilograms of poppy husk recovered from the container in the presence of the main accused. It is, therefore, contended that no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioners incarcerated any further, and hence, prayer is made for grant of regular bail to the petitioners in the present cases. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, while opposing the prayer and submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioners, contends that present case involves a huge recovery of contraband. As per the investigation conducted by police, petitioners were found escorting the container in a separate vehicle, thereby making them equally liable for the consequences arising under the NDPS Act for the recovered contraband. It is further submitted that upon arrest of petitioner Satnam Singh alias Satta, on 29.12.2022, an additional recovery of 120 kilograms of poppy husk was made from his possession along with another co- accused, Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, who was present with him in a car. Moreover, it is argued that Satnam Singh alias Satta is involved in other criminal cases, as well. In view of the seriousness of the offence, LAVISHA 2025.11.11 17:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-39703-2025 CRM-M-46219-2025 4 quantity of the recovered contraband, and antecedents of the petitioners, learned State counsel prays for dismissal of both the present petitions. 5. This Court has heard the submissions advanced by counsel for the parties and perused the record available. 6. During the course of hearing, this Court, on its own, noticed the addresses of both the petitioners, which are as follows:- (i) Petitioner in CRM-M-39703-2025:- Ranjit Singh alias Rana, aged about 40 years, son of Lakhwinder Singh, resident of House No.68, Near Main Road, Village Daulewala Mayer, Police Station Kot Ise Khan, District Moga. (ii) Petitioner in CRM-M-46219-2025:- Satnam Singh alias Satta, aged about 30 years, son of Hardyal Singh, resident of Village Daulewala, Police Station Kot Ise Khan, District Moga. Accused persons arrested from the spot and found at the back of the container are:- (i) Beant Singh alias Ant, son of Mahinder Singh, resident of Dudi Ke, District Moga. (ii) Manpreet Singh alias Mani, son of Resham Singh, resident of Lehra Rohi, District Ferozepur. 7. Recovery in the present case was effected in the jurisdiction of Police Station Barnala, District Barnala. Despite repeated inquiries, and on being questioned by the Court, learned State counsel, on instructions from ASI Baljinder Singh present in Court, could not indicate the source from which the petitioners allegedly procured the huge contraband of 1800 kilograms of poppy husk. It was, however, LAVISHA 2025.11.11 17:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-39703-2025 CRM-M-46219-2025 5 noticed that another accused, Hardeep Singh, who owns the container, bearing registration number HR 67 B 4885, has been nominated, but is yet to be arrested. Furthermore, when the Court sought particulars of the vehicle in which the petitioners allegedly escorted the container, learned State counsel admitted complete ignorance regarding this fact. 8. Although, culpability of the petitioners is to be ascertained during trial after the complete adducing of evidence, and no opinion can be expressed at this stage, it is imperative for the prosecution to establish a clear link between the petitioners and the recovered contraband. Considering the separate residences of the petitioners and lack of any established connection with the recovered poppy husk at this stage, this Court is of the view that petitioners cannot be detained any further inside jail. It has also been noticed that out of 19 prosecution witnesses, 10 have been examined, 2 have been given up, and 7 witnesses are yet to be recorded. 9. In view of the totality of circumstances, facts and allegations against the petitioners, pending examination of witnesses, and the prosecution’s burden to establish connectivity, this Court deems it appropriate to grant concession of regular bail to both the petitioners in the present petitions. Consequently, prayer made in the present petitions is allowed. Petitioners, namely Ranjit Singh @ Rana (in CRM-M-39703- 2025) and Satnam Singh @ Satta (in CRM-M-46219-2025) are ordered to be released on bail, subject to their furnishing bail/surety bonds to the LAVISHA 2025.11.11 17:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-39703-2025 CRM-M-46219-2025 6 satisfaction of the learned trial Court/ Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. 10. Needless to observe that the petitioners shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly. 11. Any of the discussion done and recorded here above, shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case. Therefore, trial Court is expected to decide the case by taking an independent view, on the basis of evidence available on record, as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with law. 12. It is further made clear that if, in future, petitioners are directly found indulged in similar kind of activities, this order shall be deemed to be cancelled. 13. 14.
Decision
Both the petitions stand disposed of. A photocopy of this order be placed on the file of other connected case. 11.11.2025 Lavisha (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE Whether Speaking/Reasoned: YES/NO YES/NO Whether Reportable: LAVISHA 2025.11.11 17:56 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh