Gurlal Singh Alias Gulal Singh Vs State of Punjab

Present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.225 dated 22.12.2025 under Sections 25(6), 25(7)(i) of Arms Act, 1959 (Section 111 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 added videRapat no.23 dated 24.12.2025), registered at Police Station Sadar Patti, District Tarn Taran.

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The case set up in the FIR in question (as set out in the present petition by the petitioner) is as follows:-

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‘To the Station House Officer, Police Station Sadar Patti, Jai Hind. Today. I, SI, along with ASI Manjinder Singh No. 1071/T.T., ASI Rupinder Singh No. 609/T.T., Senior Constable Jagdeep Singh No. 1500/T.T., while on patrol and search for miscreants in the official vehicle, a Bolero bearing number PB-46-W-0526, driven by Constable Jagdev Singh No. 961/T.T.,

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ASHWANI KUMAR 2026.04.07 18:18 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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were proceeding from CIA Tarn Taran towards Patti, Patti Morh, etc. When the police party reached Adda Patti Morh, a secret informant appeared before me and provided information that Gurlal Singh, son of Sukhdev Singh, resident of village Vadda Sabhra, Police Station Sadar Patti, District Tarn Taran, has connections with gangsters. Through these gangsters, he procures illicit arms by various means and supplies them in the district of Tarn Taran and various other cities of Punjab. This information is reliable and credible. This constitutes an offence under Section 25(6)(7-(1))/54/59 of the Arms Act. Therefore, this ruqa, having been typed on a laptop and printed, is being sent through Constable Jagdev Singh No. 961/T.T. to Police Station Sadar Patti for the registration of a case. I may be informed of the case number after its registration. Special reports may be issued and sent to the concerned Magistrate and senior officers. The control room may be informed. I, SI, along with the police party, am proceeding towards village Sabhra, etc., within the jurisdiction of Police Station Sadar Pattı. Today, at the location of Adda Patti Morh, Time: 3:45 PM. Sd/- Sahib Singh, SI, CIA, District Tarn Taran. Date: 22-12-2025. Today at the Police Station: Upon receipt of the aforementioned written complaint at the police station, the said case has been registered under the aforementioned sections. The original written complaint and a copy of the FIR are being sent through Constable Arinda to the said SI at the spot for further proceedings. Special reports are being issued and sent through ASI Nirmal Singh 709/TT to the concerned Magistrate and senior officers. Information is being sent to the control room via E-Mail. Daily Diary Report No. 22, Time: 4:25 PM, Date: 22-12-2025.’

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Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that the petitioner

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is in custody since 22.12.2025. Learned counsel has further argued that the petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question. Learned counsel has further submitted that investigation qua the FIR in question is already complete and culmination of trial will take long time. Learned counsel has further iterated that the petitioner is a young man aged 22 years with no criminal antecedents. Thus, regular bail is prayed

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ASHWANI KUMAR 2026.04.07 18:18 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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for.

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Learned State counsel has filed reply by way of affidavit of Jagjit Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Detective), District Tarn Taran dated 13.3.2026. Raising submissions in tandem with the said reply, learned State counsel has opposed the present petition by arguing that the allegations raised are serious in nature and thus the petitioner does not deserve the concession of the regular bail. Learned State counsel seeks to place on record custody certificate dated 6.4.2026 in Court, which is taken on record.

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I have heard counsel for the parties and have gone through the available records of the case.

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The petitioner was arrested on 22.12.2025 and is in continuous custody since then. Upon culmination of investigation, challan stands presented on 18.3.2026, wherein 11 prosecution witnesses have been cited. It is conceded case of the parties that none has been examined till date. The rival contentions raised at Bar give rise to debatable issues which shall be ratiocinated upon during the course of trial. This Court does not deem it appropriate to delve deep into these rival contentions, at this stage, lest it may prejudice the trial. Nothing tangible has been brought forward to indicate the likelihood of the petitioner absconding from the process of justice or interfering with the prosecution evidence.

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6.1 As per custody certificate dated 6.4.2026 filed by learned State counsel, the petitioner has already suffered incarceration for a period of 3 months and 11 days & is not shown to be involved in any other case.

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ASHWANI KUMAR 2026.04.07 18:18 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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Suffice to say, further detention of the petitioner as an undertrial

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is not warranted in the facts and circumstances of the case.

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In view of above, the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Ld. concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate. However, in addition to conditions that may be imposed by the concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate, the petitioner shall remain bound by the following conditions:-

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(i) The petitioner shall not mis-use the liberty granted.

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(ii) The petitioner shall not tamper with any evidence, oral or documentary, during the trial.

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(iii) The petitioner shall not absent himself on any date before the trial.

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(iv) The petitioner shall not commit any offence while on bail.

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(v) The petitioner shall deposit his passport, if any, with the trial Court.

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(vi) The petitioner shall give his cell-phone number to the Investigating Officer/SHO of concerned Police Station and shall not change his cell-phone number without prior permission of the trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate.

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(vii) The petitioner shall not in any manner try to delay the trial.

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In case of breach of any of the aforesaid conditions and those

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which may be imposed by concerned CJM/Duty Magistrate as directed hereinabove or upon showing any other sufficient cause, the State/complainant shall be at liberty to move cancellation of bail of the petitioner.

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