Dismissed¶47

Pavittar Singh @ Pittar Singh v. State of Punjab

Bail – S.439 CrPC

Punjab & Haryana HC26 Feb 2026CRM-M/37823/2025

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Case brief

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What is this about?

Punjab & Haryana High Court (Surya Partap Singh, J.) dismissed first regular bail under S.439 CrPC in CRM-M-37823-2025; FIR 61/2023 PS Sadar Nabha, Patiala; Ss.302/34 IPC murder of Kamalprince Singh; co-accused Avtar Singh, Sukhjit Singh @Sukhi; custody two years ten months; 8/22 witnesses examined; speedy-trial plea rejected; precedents Raneef (AIR 2011 SC 340), Bhallu Ram (CRM-M-15144-2025), Harwinder Singh @Bindri (CRM-M-45052-2025) distinguished as inapplicable; petitioner has antecedents in two other cases; trial Court directed to conclude trial preferably within six months.

What did the court decide?

No relief of bail; however, the learned trial Court is directed to endeavour for early disposal of the trial preferably within six months from receipt of copy of the order. ¶47

Pavittar Singh @ Pittar Singh Vs State… — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

No relief of bail; however, the learned trial Court is directed to endeavour for early disposal of the trial preferably within six months from receipt of copy of the order.

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Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail under Section 439 CrPC on the ground that his prolonged incarceration (two years and ten months) and the slow pace of trial infringe his fundamental rights of speedy trial and personal liberty. +1 more

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Court's answer

In view of the gravity of the offence allegedly committed by the petitioner coupled with other mitigating factors, the petitioner's total custody period of two years and ten months cannot be treated to be such a large period of incarceration as may invite an inference that his fundamental rights of speedy trial and personal liberty are being infringed.

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Ratio / Principle

In view of the vast difference in the factual matrix of the present case, the principles of law laid down by the Supreme Court in Raneef and by this Court in Bhallu Ram and Harwinder Singh @Bindri are not applicable to the facts and circumstances of the present case; in Harwinder Singh @Bindri bail had been accorded after two years and five months when the material witnesses had already been examined and had not supported the prosecution.

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Key takeaways

Ample evidence has been collected by the Investigating Officer; the present case cannot be said to be a case of no evidence or of only procured/fabricated evidence, and the evidence so collected, if produced and if it satisfies the standard of proof prescribed under law, may result in the conviction of the petitioner.ratio¶46
The petitioner does not have clean antecedents: in addition to the present case, he is also facing prosecution in two other cases.ratio¶45
Since the petitioner is already in custody for more than two years and ten months, the learned trial Court is directed to endeavour for early disposal of the trial preferably within a period of six months from the date of receipt of copy of the order.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail — S.439 CrPC — first regular bail petition of Pavittar Singh @Pittar Singh, arraigned along with Avtar Singh and Sukhjit Singh @Sukhi in FIR No.61 dt.02.04.2023, PS Sadar Nabha, District Patiala, for offences u/Ss.302 & 34 IPC arising from the death of Kamalprince Singh — petitioner in custody two years and ten months; eight of twenty-two prosecution witnesses examined — HELD: given the gravity of the alleged offence coupled with other mitigating factors, the custody period cannot be treated as so large as to invite an inference that the fundamental rights of speedy trial and personal liberty stand infringed; the principles in State of Kerala v. Raneef (AIR 2011 SC 340), Bhallu Ram (CRM-M-15144-2025) and Harwinder Singh @Bindri (CRM-M-45052-2025) are not applicable owing to vast difference in the factual matrix — in Harwinder Singh @Bindri bail had been accorded after two years five months when material witnesses, already examined, had not supported the prosecution — ample evidence stands collected by the Investigating Officer and it cannot be said that the case is one of no evidence or of procured/fabricated evidence; petitioner also lacks clean antecedents, facing prosecution in two other cases — petition dismissed; trial Court directed to endeavour disposal preferably within six months.

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CRM-M-37823-2025 (O&M)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

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109 CRM-M-37823-2025 (O&M) Decided on : 26.02.2026

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Pavittar Singh @Pittar Singh

..... Petitioner

VERSUS

State of Punjab

..... Respondent

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA PARTAP SINGH

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Present : Mohd. Yousaf, Advocate for the petitioner.

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Mr. Eklavya Darshi, DAG Punjab.

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SURYA PARTAP SINGH, J.

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This petition for bail is first petition, filed by the petitioner under Section 439 of ‘Criminal Procedure Code’. It has been filed with regard to a case arising out of FIR No.61 dated 02.04.2023, for the commission of offence punishable under Sections 302 and 34 of Indian Penal Code, Police Station Sadar Nabha, District Patiala.

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The abovementioned FIR came into being at the instance of ‘Sukhwinder Singh’, hereinafter being referred to as ‘complainant’ only. It was stated by the above-named complainant that on 01.04.2023 at about 12:00 noon, he had gone to Nabha on his motorcycle bearing registration No.PB11-BP-6727. According to complainant, at about 08:30 pm he called his son, Kamalprince Singh, who informed him that he was sitting with his friends at Chitta Wala and would stay there with them. As per complainant, when his son did not return the next day and his mobile phone was not

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GAURAV THAKUR 2026.02.27 20:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRM-M-37823-2025 (O&M)

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reachable, he went out to search for him. According to complainant, at about 01:50 pm, when he reached Kot Kalan-Chitta Wala road, he noticed gathering on the bank of a drain. As per complainant, when he reached the spot, he found the dead body of his son, Kamalprince Singh, lying naked. It was further stated by the complainant that he also observed multiple injuries on the body of his son, which appeared to have been inflicted with a sharpedged weapon. The complainant further stated that he had strong suspicion that his son, Kamalprince Singh, was killed by Avtar Singh, Sukhi, and Pavittar Singh (petitioner herein), along with some unidentified persons.

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In this case, statement of Pargat Singh (Ex-Sarpanch) was also recorded by the Investigating officer. In the abovementioned statement, he stated that on 01.04.2023 at about 08:00-09:00 pm, he has visited liquor vend at Village Chhitawala, where Pavittar Singh, Kamalprince Singh (deceased), Sukhjit Singh @Sukhi and Avtar Singh, too, were consuming liquor. As per statement of Pargat Singh (Ex-Sarpanch), in the abovementioned liquor vend, a heated argument took place between them, and therefore, on the call of owner of liquor vend, they went outside the liquor vend, where Pavittar Singh picked-up a glass bottle and hit the same on the head of Kamalprince Singh, due to which Kamalprince Singh started bleeding. Pargat Singh (Ex-Sarpanch) further stated that thereafter Pavittar Singh, Sukhjit Singh @Sukhi and Avtar Singh took Kamalprince Singh towards Nabha on motorcycle for treatment, but later on he came to know that the dead body of Kamalprince Singh was found on the bank of drain.

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GAURAV THAKUR 2026.02.27 20:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRM-M-37823-2025 (O&M)

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The learned State Counsel has filed custody certificate of the petitioner. The same be taken on record.

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Heard.

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It has been contended by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is innocent having no nexus, whatsoever, with the commission of crime, and that he has been falsely implicated in the present case. According to learned counsel for the petitioner, the instant case has been falsely planted upon the petitioner and it is reflected from the fact that initial version of the FIR showed that the injury on the person of deceased was inflicted with the help of a glass bottle, but later on it was shown to have been inflicted by a knife.

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In addition to above, the learned counsel for the petitioner has also contended that a false story has been cooked-up with regard to last seen theory, as the witness relied upon by the prosecution is the resident of the complainant’s village and, therefore, he is an interested witness. According to learned counsel for the petitioner, his presence at the alleged place of occurrence appears to be highly unnatural and doubtful. As per learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner has already suffered prolonged incarceration, and that the trial is taking place at a very slow pace, as out of twenty two prosecution witnesses, only eight have been examined so far. While claiming that the fundamental right of speedy trial and personal liberty are being infringed, the learned counsel for the petitioner has urged for the benefit of bail for the petitioner. In support of his arguments, learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to the principles of law laid down by

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GAURAV THAKUR 2026.02.27 20:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRM-M-37823-2025 (O&M)

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the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of ‘State of Kerala V/s Raneef’ AIR 2011 SC 340 and by this Court in CRM-M-15144-2025 titled as ‘Bhallu Ram V/s State of Haryana’ and CRM-M-45052-2025, titled as ‘Harwinder Singh @Bindri V/s State of Punjab’.

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The learned State Counsel has controverted the abovementioned arguments. According to learned State Counsel, the present case is a full-proof case, wherein ample evidence with regard to involvement of petitioner in the commission of crime is available. As per learned State Counsel, in the instant case there are two individuals unconnected with the family of complainant, who had stated that the petitioner and his co-accused Avtar Singh and Sukhjit Singh @Sukhi were last seen with the deceased, just before the discovery of his dead body.

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According to learned State Counsel, in addition to above, there is a disclosure statement of the petitioner pursuant to which the weapon of offence has been recovered and with the help of DNA profiling, it has been found that the blood available on the abovementioned knife belonged to the deceased. As per learned State Counsel, in view of abovementioned evidence, collected by the Investigating Agency, the present case is a watertight case and the involvement of petitioner in the commission of crime is established irrespective of the fact that there is any eye-witness account or not.

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The record has been perused carefully.

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GAURAV THAKUR 2026.02.27 20:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRM-M-37823-2025 (O&M)

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A careful perusal of record shows that in the present case, the total custody period of the petitioner is two years and ten months, and in view of gravity of offence allegedly committed by the petitioner coupled with other mitigating factors, the abovementioned period cannot be treated to be such a large period of incarceration, which may invite an inference that the fundamental right of speedy trial and personal liberty are being infringed. Thus, in view of the vast difference in the factual matrix of the present case, it is hereby held that the principles of law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Raneef ( supra ) and by this Court in the cases of Bhallu Ram ( supra ) and Harwinder Singh @Bindri ( supra ) are not applicable to the facts and circumstances of the present case.

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It shall not be out of place to mention here that in the case of Harwinder Singh @Bindri ( supra ), the benefit of bail was accorded to the accused after a period of two years and five months when the material witnesses were already examined and they had not supported the prosecution case.

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In the present case, in order to establish the involvement of petitioner in the commission of the crime, ample evidence has been collected by the Investigating Officer. If the abovementioned evidence is produced before the learned trial Court and satisfies the standard of proof prescribed under the law for establishing the charge, the evidence so adduced by the prosecution may result into the conviction of the petitioner.

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GAURAV THAKUR 2026.02.27 20:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRM-M-37823-2025 (O&M)

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In addition to above, it is also relevant to mention here that the petitioner does not have clean antecedents. In fact in addition to present case, he is also facing prosecution in two other cases.

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Taking into consideration the cumulative effect of all the abovementioned factors, it is hereby held that the argument addressed by learned counsel for the petitioner does not hold merit. It cannot be said that the present case is the case of no evidence, or that only a procured/fabricated evidence has been collected by the Investigating Agency.

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As a sequel to abovementioned observations, it is hereby held that the present petition is devoid of merit and deserves dismissal. The same is hereby dismissed , accordingly.

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However, in view of the fact that the petitioner is already in custody for a period of more than two years and ten months, the learned trial Court is directed to endeavour for early disposal of the trial preferably within a period of six months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

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

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26.02.2026 Gaurav Thakur

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Whether speaking / reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No

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GAURAV THAKUR 2026.02.27 20:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

Pavittar Singh @ Pittar Singh v. State of Punjab

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Pavittar Singh @ Pittar Singh v. State of Punjab

Case brief

What is this about?

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