Punjab-Haryana High Court
Sanjeev Kumar @ Bablu vs State Of Punjab on 24 February, 2026
CRM-M-555-2026 (O&M) -1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
CRM-M-555-2026 (O&M)
Sanjeev Kumar @ Bablu ... Petitioner
Vs.
State of Punjab ... Respondent
1. The date when the judgment is reserved 18.02.2026
2. The date when the judgment is pronounced 24.02.2026
3. The date when the judgment is uploaded on the 24.02.2026
website
4. Whether only operative part of the judgment is Full
pronounced or whether the full judgment is
pronounced
5. The delay, if any, of the pronouncement of full Not applicable
judgment, and reasons thereof
CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA
Present: Mr. S.S. Narula, Senior Advocate with
Mr. Inderjeet Sihag, Advocat and
Dr. Amardeep Singh Sandhu, Advocate for the petitioner.
Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab.
...
Manisha Batra, J. (Oral).
1. The present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') by the petitioner seeking grant of regular bail in case arising out of FIR No.234, dated 30.10.2025, registered under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B 1 of 6 ::: Downloaded on - 25-02-2026 00:26:26 ::: CRM-M-555-2026 (O&M) -2- and 201 IPC and Section 12 of the Passports Act, at Police Station City Nawanshahr, District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.
2. As per the allegations, on 30.10.2025, a secret information was received by Inspector/SHO Avtar Singh, Police Station Nawanshehr to the effect that accused Ashok Kumar was dealing in the business of procuring/preparing passports of criminals on fake addresses and by hiding their antecedents and recently he had got issued a passport in the name of one Davinder Kumar on the basis of false and fake address and he could be apprehended with fake documents and passports. Believing the secret information to be true, intimation was sent to the police station for registration of the FIR. Accused Ashok Kumar and Davinder Kumar were apprehended on 31.10.2025. On interrogation, accused Davinder Kumar disclosed that since he was willing to go abroad but could not obtain a police clearance certificate due to his criminal antecedents, he had contacted with accused Ashok Kumar, who had received an amount of Rs.4 lakhs from him and had got issued a passport on fake address which was valid from 25.06.2024 to 24.06.2034. He also got the said passport recovered.
3. As per the further allegations, accused Ashok Kumar was also arrested on 31.10.2025. He suffered a disclosure statement to the effect that in connivance with the present petitioner and co-accused Chetan Goyal, passports in favour of persons having criminal antecedents were got issued by them in lieu of money. He disclosed that the present petitioner and co- accused Chetan Goyal had been getting the same issued and he was receiving money by way of commission. Petitioner was arrested on 01.11.2025. He disclosed that accused Chetan Goyal used to apprise him 2 of 6 ::: Downloaded on - 25-02-2026 00:26:27 ::: CRM-M-555-2026 (O&M) -3- about the addresses which were to be filled in for the purpose of issuance of passports on fake addresses, the petitioner used to prepare forged documents in his laptop by using "COREL DRAW APP" and then used to hand over such fake documents to accused Chetan Goyal, who by completing other formalities and taking appointments from passport office, used to get passport issued on fake addresses.
4. Accused Chetan Goyal was arrested on 05.11.2025. In his disclosure statement, the said accused revealed the role of the co-accused Gurdev Singh, who was posted as an Assistant Sub Inspector at Sanjh Kendra, Lohia, District Jalandhar. He disclosed that he (Chetan Goyal) used to inform the co-accused Gurdev Singh whenever some passport was to be prepared on fake address, then the latter used to suggest the name of the village to be mentioned in the documents and then such name was added in the forged documents. It was the co-accused, who used to ensure clearance of police verification of passport from the concerned villages and it was in this manner the entire gang operated to get passports issued. He was nominated as an additional accused. Investigation qua the petitioner now stands completed.
5. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in this case on the basis of disclosure statement of the co-accused, Davinder Kumar, which cannot be considered to be admissible in evidence. His own disclosure statement can also not be admissible in evidence as it has not led to discovery of any new or distinctive fact. Neither any recovery has been effected from him. There is no incriminating material to connect him with the commission of subject 3 of 6 ::: Downloaded on - 25-02-2026 00:26:27 ::: CRM-M-555-2026 (O&M) -4- offences. The ingredients for commission of these offences are not attracted against the petitioner at all. He is in custody for a period of over 03 months. He is not required for further investigation. The trial will take considerable time to conclude. No useful purpose would be served by detaining him in custody anymore. He is on bail in another case as registered against him. He is not a flight risk. He has permanent abode. There are no chances of his absconding or committing similar offences if extended benefit of bail. It is, therefore, argued that he deserves to be extended the benefit of bail.
6. Per contra, learned State counsel while relying upon the status report has vehemently argued that there are serious and specific allegations against the petitioner, who in connivance with the co-accused to facilitate preparing of passports on fake and false addresses and on false documents, used to prepare such documents on 'COREL DRAW APP'. He had thrown his laptop in Beas river after registration of the FIR. The call detail records of phone of the petitioner has been received and the same show that on 13.01.2025, he had travelled to Beas, District Amritsar, thereby corroborating his disclosure that he had thrown his laptop in Beas river to cause disappearance of evidence of the offence committed by him. The trial has commenced and there is nothing on record to show that there would be any undue delay in conclusion thereof. The petitioner was actively involved in the illegal business of procuring and supplying passports to persons having criminal antecedents on fake addresses, thereby earning money in an illegal manner. It was on account of the documents so prepared by the petitioner that co-accused Davinder Kumar despite being involved in several criminal cases succeeded in issuance of passports on fake addresses. The 4 of 6 ::: Downloaded on - 25-02-2026 00:26:27 ::: CRM-M-555-2026 (O&M) -5- petitioner in involved in one more case of similar nature. There are chances of his committing more offences or absconding if extended benefit of bail. It is, therefore, argued that the petitioner does not deserve to be extended the benefit of bail.
7. This Court has heard the rival submissions made by learned counsel for the parties.
8. The petitioner in connivance with the co-accused is alleged to have involved in the business of procuring and supplying passports to persons having criminal antecedents. As per the allegations, he was running a racket for this purpose and had been earning money by preparing forged and false documents on laptop and thereafter supplying the same to accused Chetan Goyal, who used such documents for procuring those passports on fake addresses. The complicity of other accused has also been prima facie established along with the present petitioner. The investigation, however, now stands concluded. The trial has commenced but will take considerable time to conclude. The offences, for which the petitioner has been booked and challaned are triable by the Magistrate. No fruitful purpose would be served by detaining the petitioner in custody anymore. It is well settled proposition of law that pre-trial incarceration should not be a replica of post conviction sentencing. The object of jail is to secure appearance of the accused during trial and it cannot be punitive or preventive. There is nothing on record to show that the petitioner may abscond or commit similar offences.
9. In view of the discussion as made above, this Court is of the considered opinion that a case for release of the petitioner on bail is made 5 of 6 ::: Downloaded on - 25-02-2026 00:26:27 ::: CRM-M-555-2026 (O&M) -6- out. Accordingly, the petition is allowed and the petitioner is directed to be released on bail subject to his furnishing personal bonds as well as surety bonds by two sureties in the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned trial Court/CJM/Duty Magistrate concerned. The petitioner shall, however, keep the trial Court informed about any change in his residential address and his mobile number. He will keep his mobile phone active round the clock. He will also remain present before the trial Court on each and every date of hearing, failing which it shall be taken as misuse of the concession of bail. Similarly, if the petitioner is found involved in any other case of similar nature, that will amount to misuse of concession of bail and in that event, it shall be open to the State to apply for cancellation of bail without further reference to this Court.
10. It is, however, clarified that the observations made hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case and shall not influence the outcome of the trial.
11. Since the main petition has been allowed, pending application, if any, is rendered infructuous.
(MANISHA BATRA)
24.02.2026 JUDGE
harjeet
Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No
Whether reportable : Yes/No
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