Sarabjit Singh @ Jagga Vs State of… — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

Sarabjit Singh @ Jagga Vs State of… — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petition disposed of with a direction to the Trial Court to expedite conclusion of trial preferably within 3 months from the next date of hearing; if the trial is not concluded within that period, the petitioner may seek bail before the Trial Court and shall then be released on bail on furnishing requisite bonds, subject to conditions securing his presence during the trial; relief excluded where the trial delay is caused by the petitioner/accused.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, who has been in custody since 09.08.2020 (over five years and six months) while the trial remains incomplete with one witness yet to be examined, is entitled to regular bail.

Court's answer

The petition stands disposed of with a direction to the Trial Court to expedite the conclusion of the trial, preferably within a period of 3 months from the next date of hearing fixed before it.

Ratio / Principle

If the Trial Court fails to conclude the trial within the stipulated period, the petitioner would be at liberty to move an appropriate application seeking grant of bail before the Trial Court.

Key takeaways

Upon such bail application being filed, the Trial Court shall release the petitioner on bail subject to his furnishing requisite bonds to its satisfaction, imposing such condition that his presence can be secured during the trial.ratio¶20
The aforesaid relief is withheld if the delay in the trial is caused on the part of the petitioner/accused.ratio¶20

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail - Regular bail - Petitioner sought bail in FIR No.170 dated 10.07.2020, PS Pinjore, District Panchkula, under Sections 279, 304-A (deleted later on), 120-B, 201, 302, 34 IPC and 201, 420, 467, 468, 471 IPC (added subsequently) - In custody since 09.08.2020, i.e. over 5 years and 6 months; trial incomplete, one witness yet to be examined, next trial date 19.02.2026 - Petition disposed of with direction to Trial Court to expedite conclusion of trial preferably within 3 months from next hearing date - On failure to conclude, petitioner at liberty to apply for bail before Trial Court, which shall release him on furnishing requisite bonds with conditions securing his presence during trial - Relief withheld if delay in trial is caused by petitioner/accused.

2026:PHHC:013883

205

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

CRM-M-42365-2025 Date of Decision: 30.01.2026

SARABJIT SINGH @ JAGGA

…Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF HARYANA

…Respondent

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA

Present : Ms. Saloni Chhabra, Advocate for Mr. Hemant Bassi, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. R.S. Chauhan, A.A.G., Haryana.

SUBHAS MEHLA, J. (ORAL)

By way of the present petition, the petitioner is seeking regular bail in case FIR No.170 dated 10.07.2020 registered under Sections 279, 304-A (deleted later on) and Sections 120-B, 201, 302, 34 IPC and 201, 420, 467, 468, 471 IPC (added subsequently), at Police Station Pinjore, District Panchkula.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 09.08.2020 i.e. for the last more than 5 years and 6 months and his co-accused has already been granted bail.

Learned State counsel submits that in the present case, one witness is yet to be examined and the next date before the trial Court is now

fixed for 19.02.2026.

GURPREET KAUR 2026.02.06 02:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M-42365-2025 -2-

Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner, as the petitioner is in custody for the last more than 05 years and 06 months, the instant petition stands disposed off with a direction to the Trial Court to expedite the conclusion of trial preferably within a period of 3 months from the next date of hearing fixed before it. If the trial Court fails to conclude the trial within the stipulated period, then the petitioner would be at liberty to move an appropriate application seeking grant of bail before the Trial Court. Upon such application being filed, the Trial Court shall release the petitioner on bail subject to his furnishing requisite bonds to its satisfaction by imposing such condition that his presence can be secured during the trial as the petitioner is in custody since the last more than 05 years and 06 months. It is made clear that if the delay in the trial is caused on the part of the petitioner/accused, then he shall not be entitled for the aforesaid relief.

January 30, 2026		(SUBHAS MEHLA)
gurpreet		JUDGE
Whether speaking/reasoned:	Yes/No
Whether reportable:	Yes/No

GURPREET KAUR 2026.02.06 02:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document