Sandeep Singh vs State of Punjab

The instant petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (corresponding to Section 438 of the Cr.P.C.), seeking grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in FIR No.173 dated 04.07.2026 under Section 298 of BNS,2023/Section 295 of IPC registered at Police Station Sadar Nakodar, District Jalandhar Rural.

The prosecution case is that as per FIR No.173 dated 04.07.2026, registered under Section 298 of the BNS at Police Station Sadar Nakodar, District Jalandhar Rural, is that on 03.07.2026 at about 10:00 p.m., the complainant received information that Granthi Pardeep Singh was consuming liquor inside his residential room situated in the Gurdwara Sahib alongwith Manvir Singh and petitioner-Sandeep Singh alias Sonu. The complainant, alongwith other members of the Gurdwara Committee, reached the spot and allegedly found them consuming liquor. On seeing the gathering, the petitioner fled from the spot. It was alleged that their conduct had hurt the religious sentiments of the general public.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the case. He has no role in the alleged occurrence and nothing remains to be recovered from him. It is further submitted that the petitioner is ready to join and cooperate with the investigation and, therefore, deserves the concession of anticipatory bail.

Notice of motion.

Mr. J.S. Rattu, learned Deputy Advocate General, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the respondent/State. He opposes the petition on the ground that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. The petitioner has been specifically named in the FIR and is alleged to have consumed liquor inside the premises of the Gurdwara, thereby hurting the religious sentiments of the public. Hence, the petitioner does not deserve the discretionary relief of anticipatory bail.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the record.

The petitioner is specifically named in the complaint and is attributed a direct role in the alleged occurrence. The allegations against him are serious, as he is alleged to have been found consuming liquor inside a Gurdwara Sahib and thereafter escaped apprehension. Such an act at a place of religious sanctity has serious consequences and, in the considered view of this Court, grant of pre-arrest bail in such circumstances may send a wrong signal to society at large. Considering the gravity and seriousness of the allegations, no exceptional circumstance is made out warranting grant of the extraordinary relief of anticipatory bail.

Consequently, the present petition is dismissed.

It is clarified that the observations made herein are confined to the adjudication of the present petition and shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.