Manga Masih Vs State of Punjab

The instant petition has been filed under Section 483 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for the grant of regular bail in FIR bearing No.63 dated 04.04.2025, registered under Sections 111(3), 298, 325, 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Sections 11, 12 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Sections 3, 4 and 8 of the Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 at Police Station Sadar Faridkot.

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The true translated extract of the FIR reads thus:-

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"Statement of Mahant Garib Das, aged about 45 years, son of Nand Singh, son of Kaka Singh, resident of Apna Ghar, Old age home Sikhawala Road, Kotkapura, District Faridkot mobile no. 98552-57008. Stated that I am running an old age home under the name Apna Ghar, Old age home Sikhawala Road, Kotkapura and I am Mukh Sewadar of the same. I am also

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MANGAL SINGH 2025.09.09 16:25 I am the author of this document

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CRM-M-42593-2025 (O&M)

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General Secretary of Gau Rakhiya Dal Punjab Raj. Apart from this I am also volunteer of Sanyukt Gau Rakhiya Das whose President is Gurpreet Singh resident of Ludhiana. Our association works on the treatment and care of injured Cows. Gurmail Singh alias Babu son of Sukhdev Singh, resident of village Dhaipei Has made one gang in which apart from others, he had also included his son Jagmeet Singh alias Manna who capture the stray Cows roaming on the road and they slaughter them and sell the beef in other states. Earlier also there are cases registered against them for similar offences. In our religion as per Veda Granth, Cow is treated as a mother. The acts of the above persons hurts our religious sentiments. Today I have got secret information, That. Gurmail Singh alias Babu. His son Jagmeet Singh alias Manna Add three other members of their gang together have loaded cow species in the Truck bearing No. JK-02-BP-5686 from village Dhaipei and are taking them towards Amritsar side. I along with I Manjit Kumar, son of Banwari Lal, resident of Friends Colony, Faridkot and Sukhwant Singh Elias, happy, son of Gurdev Singh, resident of German colony, Faridkot We're waiting for the said truck on National Highway, Tehna. At 5AM the Truck bearing No. JK-02-BP-5686 was seen groing from Kotkapura side to Amritsar side. I alongwith other persons accompanying me followed the said Truck and checked the said truck by

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MANGAL SINGH 2025.09.09 16:25 I am the author of this document

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CRM-M-42593-2025 (O&M)

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stopping the same at Bus Stand Chandbaja And I found that there were 18 cow species loaded in the Truck and they were mercilessly tied with ropes. On my asking driver told his name as Mukhtar Ahmed, son of Nazir Ahmed, resident of village Ghangot. District Udhampur, conductor told his name as Lal Khan, son of Ghulam Hussain, resident of village Bhangali, Tehsil Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir). I have left my mates there and have come to report at Chowki Kaler Camp at Chandbaja. Action please be taken against Gurmail Singh @ Babu, Jagmeet Singh @ Manna, Mukhtiar Ahmed, Lal Khan and other three unknown persons. You have wrote and read my statement which is correct. Sd/- Garib Das SD/ ASI Hardev Singh, Chowki Kaler Camp at Chandbaja PS Sadar Faridkot. ”. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 25.06.2025 and that the cows that were allegedly being carried for slaughter have already been recovered by the State. He contends that the investigation in the present cases already stands concluded and the final report has also been filed. It is contended that the trial is likely to take a long time to conclude and the continued incarceration of the petitioner is not likely to advance the interest of justice.

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Learned counsel for respondent-State, on the other hand, contends that the petitioner is a part of a syndicate and he alongwith others is involved in other cases pertaining to slaughter of cows as well. He, however, does not dispute that the investigation in the present case is already

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MANGAL SINGH 2025.09.09 16:25 I am the author of this document

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208 CRM-M-42593-2025 (O&M)

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complete and that the petitioner was neither named in the FIR, nor any active role has been attributed to him. He also does not dispute the actual custody period of the petitioner and that no recovery was effected from the petitioner.

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Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the period of actual custody, the stage of the trial, role of the petitioner and bearing in mind that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take a long time, I deem it fit to allow the instant petition.

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Accordingly, the instant petition is allowed and the petitioner is ordered to be admitted to regular bail subject to him furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Illaqa Magistrate concerned.

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It is made clear that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly.

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The observation made hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression on the merits of the case and the trial Court shall decide the case on the basis of available material.

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09.09.2025 Mangal Singh

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(VINOD S. BHARDWAJ) JUDGE

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Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No

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MANGAL SINGH 2025.09.09 16:25 I am the author of this document

Manga Masih v. State of Punjab

Case brief

What is this about?

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Manga Masih v. State of Punjab

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Why is it important?

What the court decided

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