Sahib Singh v. State of Punjab

CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 1

INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABo&oHARYANAoAToCHANDIGARHo oo o o o o o o o o o Reservedoono:o13.11.2025o o o o o o o o Pronouncedoon:oo26.11.2025oooo ooo CRA-D-1208oofo2023ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o oo oo SahiboSinghoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o …..Appellantoo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooversusoo StateoofoPunjaboooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..Respondento oo CRA-D-1252oofo2023ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o oo oo SahiboSinghoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o …..Appellantoo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooversusoo StateoofoPunjaboooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..Respondento oo o CORAM:oo HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoGURVINDERoSINGHoGILLo o o HON'BLEoMRS.oJUSTICEoRAMESHoKUMARI,oJUDGEo oo Present:ooooooooMr.oArnavoSood,oAdvocateoandoo Mr.oManpreetoSingh,oAdvocate,oforotheoappellant.o oo ooooooooooooooooo Mr.oSiddharthoAttri,oAssistantoAdvocateoGeneral,oPunjab.oooo o oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo****o oo RAMESHoKUMARI,oJ.oooooooooo o o ThisocommonoorderoshallodisposeoofotwoocriminaloAppealsoNo.o 1208oofo2023oando1252oofo2023ofiledobyoappellant-accusedoSahiboSinghoagainsto theoimpugnedoordersodatedo21.09.2023oando20.09.2023orespectivelyopassedobyo theothenolearnedoAdditionaloSessionsoJudge,oAmritsar.oo

2.o o CRA-DoNo.o1208oofo2023oisofiledobyotheoappellantoagainstotheo ordero datedo 21.09.2023o passedo ino Bailo Applicationo No.o 5479/12.09.2023o arisingo outo ofo FIRo No.o 47o datedo 11.05.2023o o undero Sectionso 9-Bo ofo theo CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 2

ExplosiveoAct,o1884,oSectionso3,o4oando5oofoExplosiveoSubstanceoAct,o1908,o Sectionso 13,o 16o ando 18o ofo UnlawfuloActivitieso (Prevention)oAct,o 1967o (aso amendedoupotoodate)oandoSectiono120-BoofotheoIndianoPenaloCode,oregisteredoato PoliceoStationoE-Division,oAmritsar,oowhereasooCRA-DoNo.1252oofo2023oiso filedo byo theo appellanto againsto theo ordero datedo 20.09.2023o passedo ino Bailo Applicationo No.o 5381o arisingo outo ofo FIRo No.o 49o datedo 11.05.2023o undero Sectionso 9-Bo ofo theoExplosiveoAct,o1884,o Sectionso 3,4o ando5o ofoExplosiveo Substanceo Act,o 1908,o Sectionso 13,o 16o ando 18o ofo Unlawfulo Activitieso (Prevention)oAct,o 1967o (aso amendedo upo too date)o ando Sectiono 120-Bo ofo theo IndianoPenaloCode,oregisteredoatoPoliceoStationoE-Division,oAmritsar.ooo

3.o o Brieflyo stated,o theo factso germaneo too theo presento appealso areo aso under:-o a)o o Initiallyo FIRo No.o 47o datedo 11.05.2023o waso registeredo againsto unknownopersonsoonotheobasisooforuqqaosentotooPoliceoStationobyoASIoHanso Raj.ooASIoHansoRajoinohisoruqqaostatedothatoono08.05.2023oatoabouto6.15oAMoheo alongo witho othero policeo officialso waso presento ino theo jurisdictiono ofo Policeo Stationowithoregardotoocheckingoandosearchingoforobadoelements.oTheopoliceo partyoreceivedoaosecretoinformationothatoonothatodateoi.e.o08.05.2023oatoaroundo

6.00oA.M.oexplosionohadotakenoplaceooppositeotooGurudwaraoSaragarhioSahibo nearofountainochowkoatoHeritageostreet.oASIoHansoRajoalongowithootheropoliceo officialsowentotootheospotoandofoundothatowindowopanesoofotheobuildingoofo parkingoofoGurudwaraoSaragarhioSahibowereobrokenodueotooexplosionoandotheo residueoofoexplosiveowasolyingoalloaround.oHowever,onoohumanolossooccurred.o Theo explosiono seemso too haveo beeno causedo byo someo unknowno mischievouso persons.oLegaloactionobeotakenoasooffenceopunishableounderoSectiono9-Boofotheo ExplosiveoAct,o1884owasomadeoout.oo CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 3

b)o o Splinterso ando othero materialo wereo collectedo fromo theo spoto ando sealedoinoaosealedoparceloandosentotooForensicoScienceoLaboratoryo(FSL),oSASo Nagar,oPunjab.oTheosealedoparcelsowereoofo(i)ometallicopieceso(ii)obrokenopieceso ofotapeo(iii)othreadowithopolyetheneoando(iv)ocottonoswabostatedotoobeocollectedo fromoblastosite.oOnoexaminationobyoFSL,oNitriteoandoChlorideoionsowereofoundo presento ino theo contentso ofo parcelso MarkedoAo ando B.o Ino FSLo reporto datedo

19.05.2023o pertainingo too caseo propertyo ofo FIRo No.o 47,o ito iso specificallyo reportedothat,o"NitriteoandoChlorideoionsoareogenerallyoformedoonoexplosionoofo lowo explosiveso i.e.o Potassiumo Nitrateo ando Potassiumo chlorateo ando theseo mixturesoareogenerallyousedoinofireocrackersoandoonoexplosionotheyocanocauseo damageotoohumanolifeoandoproperty."oo

(c)oo o DuringotheocourseoofoinvestigationoofoFIRoNo.o47,oitowasorevealedo thatoono08.05.2023oanotheroexplosionotookoplaceonearotheobuildingoofokitchenoofo BansaloSweetsonearoparkingoofoGurudwaraoSaragarhioSahib.oSIoSukhbajoSingho Inchargeo Mobileo Forensico Scienceo Teamo liftedo theo explosiveo materialo witho cottonoswabsofromotheoplaceoofoexplosion.ooStonesoandothreadowereoalsooliftedo fromotheoplaceoofoexplosionowhichowereotakenointoopossessionobyoASIoVikramo SinghoofoPoliceoStationoEoDivision,oAmritsar.oGDRoNo.o16odatedo07.05.2023o wasorecordedoinothisoregardoinotheoabovesaidopoliceostation.oTheseoparcelsoando copyoofoGDoNo.o16owereotakenointoopoliceopossessionovideomemoobyoSIoHanso Raj.oooo

(d)o o Ono11.05.2023,owhenoACPoSurinderoSingh,oalongwithootheropoliceo officialso waso presento ino theo areao ofo Policeo Stationo E-Division,oAmritsar,o ato abouto 12.30o PMo heo receivedo ano informationo witho regardo too explosiono thato occurredoatotheobacksideoofoGuruoRamoDasoSarai,oGoldenoTemple,oAmritsar.o ACPo Surindero Singho reachedo ato theo spot.o Duringo investigationo quao thato CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 4

incident,ooACPoSurinderoSinghoreceivedosecretoinformationothatooneoAzadbiro SinghoaliasoAzadosonoofoJasbiroSingh,oresidentoofovillageoWadalaoKalan,oTehsilo Babao Bakalao Sahib,o P.S.o Khilchian,o Amritsaro ando Amriko Singho @o Mika,o residentoofovillageoAddian,oDistrictoGurdaspur,ohadobeenofoundoroamingoundero suspiciouso circumstanceso nearo Guruo Ramdaso Sarai.o Secreto informero alsoo informedo theo policeo partyo thato ao caseo haso alreadyo beeno registeredo againsto AzadbiroSinghoaliasoAzadoatoPoliceoStationoChhehrata,oAmritsaroforohurtingo religiousosentiments.oApartofromothis,obothotheseopersonsowereoinvolvedoinoanti-nationalo ando anti-socialo activitieso sinceo longo ono theo instructionso ofo theiro handlerso sittingo abroado ando ino theo country,o theyo hado collectedo explosiveo materialofromotheoAnngaraoareaoofoAmritsaroandonearbyoareasofromoanoinfamouso explosiveodealer,onamely,oSahiboSinghosonoofoSurinderoSingh,oresidentoofoAmano Avenue,oGateoHakiman,oAmritsarowithointentionotoocauseodamageotootheounityo ando integrityo ofo theo country,o too hurto religiouso harmonyo ando too damageo theo property.o Theyo hado collectedo hugeo amounto foro thiso purposeo fromo differento channels.o Ito iso highlyo probableo thato theo serialo bomb,o explosiono whicho hado occurredo recentlyo ino theo surroundingo areaso ofo Goldeno Temple,o Amritsaro (relatingotooFIRoNo.o47/2023ohaveobeenocausedobyothisogroupowithotheirocloseo associates,o namely,o Dharmindero Singho @o Mitha,o ando Harjito Singho sono ofo DavinderoSingh,obothoresidentsoofo88ofeetoroad,oMajithaoRoad,oAmritsarowhoo wereoalsooinvolvedowithothemoinoconspiracyoforoexecutionoofobomboblastsoando theyohaveoprovidedoexplosiveomaterialotooAzadviroSinghoandohisoassociatesobyo procuringo ito fromo accused-appellanto Sahibo Singho ando ifo ao propero searcho iso conductedo thenoAzadbiro Singho aliasoAzado alongwitho hiso associateso cano beo apprehended.oThisoinformationobeingoreliable,oaoruqqaowasosentofororegistrationo ofo caseo ando accordinglyo FIRo No.o 49o datedo 11.05.2023o punishableo undero CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 5

Sectiono 9-Bo ofo theo ExplosiveoAct,o 1884,o Sectionso 3,4o ando 5o ofo Explosiveo Substanceso Act,o 1908,o Sectionso 13,o 16o ando 18o ofo Unlawfulo Activitieso (Prevention)oAct,o 1967o (aso amendedo uptoo date)o ando Sectiono 120-Bo ofo theo IndianoPenaloCode,owasoregisteredoatoPoliceoStationoE-Division,oAmritsar.ooo e)o o Sketcheso ofo fiveo suspectso wereo prepared.o Twoo personso havingo descriptiono ofo thoseo personso showno ino theo sketcheso wereo apprehendedo byo SGPCo officials.oTheseo twoo persons,o namely,o oAccusedoAzadbiro Singho aliaso Azado andoAmriko Singho aliaso Mikkao wereo handedo overo too theo policeo teamo headedobyoSIoGurbajoSinghobyotheoofficialsoofoSGPC.oBothowereoarrestedoino caseoFIRoNo.o49odatedo11.05.2023oandoduringoinvestigationoaccusedoAzadbiro SinghoaliasoAzadosufferedodisclosureostatementobeforeoSurinderoSingh,oACPo Central,oAmritsaroono11.05.2023owhichoreadsoasounder:o-o "Few days ago, I had a received telephonic call from Abdul Khalid who told me that if you will blast bomb at some religious place in Amritsar and create terror in the public, then a big amount shall be given to you. Upon which I discussed this matter with my friend namely Amrik Singh @ Lakhbir Singh, resident of village Addya, Police Station Daragla, District Gurdaspur and Amrik Singh was allured for money and ready to do this work and we were searching for those persons who used to make the desi bomb/local made bomb and for those persons who were providing material for preparation of bomb. Few months/days ago I had gone at the Nasha Chddao Kender [Drug Prevention Center) of Manga Singh situated at Bhai Manjh Singh Road, where Dharaminder Singh @ Mitha son of Sodhi Singh, resident of 88 Feet road, Majitha road, Amritsar and Harjeet Singh son of Davinder Singh; resident of 88 Feet road, Majitha road, Amritsar, who were getting treatment from said center, met me and they had told me that they are doing work of manufacturing of Explosive Articles /fire crackers. On 2.05.2023, I and Amrik Signh @ Lakhbir Singh, resident of village Addyan, Police Station Daragla, District Gurdaspur, went to Golden temple, with the motive to explode bombs at Golden Temple. We wanted to create terror in the public and government by exploding the bombs and Amrik Singh @ Lakhbir Singh, resident of village Addyan, Police Station Daragla, District Gurdaspur had taken room No. 225 on rent at Rest House Guru Ram Dass Sarai. After that I and Amrik Singh through Whatsapp Call to Dharaminder Singh @ Mitha son of Sodhi Singh, resident of 88 Foota road, Majitha road, Amritsar and Harjeet Singh son of Davinder Singh, resident of 88 Feet road, Majitha road, Amritsar discussed with them to prepare bomb and these persons further told us that they can bring explosive articles from Mr. Sahib Singh RAVINDERgKUMAR CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 6

son of Surinder Singh, resident of Aman Avenue Gate Hakima, Amritsar, upon which on 03.05.2023 at night time, we asked Dharminder Singh and Harjit Singh to come at the back side of Teja Singh Samundari Hall building. On 03.05.2023 I and Amrik Singh, went at the back side of Teja Singh Samundari Hall building, where Dharminder Singh and Harjeet Singh, residents of above said address met us, where I and Amrik Singh told Dharminder Singh and Harjeet Singh that we want to create terror in the public and government by blasting bombs and they were also ready with us for this work and these persons told us that one Sahib Singh, resident of Anngarh is doing work of manufacturing of explosive articles/fire crackers and we can receive explosive articles and other material from him and he is demanding Rs. 20,000/- for providing material. They told us that they will support but they will charge Rs. 15/15 Thousands. On 04.05.2023, I and Amrik Singh went at Bus Stand to purchase some articles and we drunk two drinks of Hello Energy and kept empty can with us and also purchased a Tiffin. On 05.05.2023 at the night time, I, Amrik Singh, Dharminder Singh; Harjeet Singh and Sahib Singh, resident of Anngarh, Amritsar again met at the back side of Teja Singh Samundari Hall building, where Sahib Singh gave us explosive material and other material and we gave him Rs. 20,000/- and Dharminder Singh and Harjeet Singh told us the method of preparation of bomb, upon which we gave Rs. 15/15 thousands to Dharminder Singh, Harjeet Singh and we had kept explosive material etc. with us and at the night time, I and Amrik Singh assembled the local bomb in Hello Energy Drink and in one Tiffin at our room and we had kept balance explosive articles in our bags and had deposited these bags in store. The token number of this bag has already been recovered from me by you. On 06.05.2023 at about 11:15 PM, I and Amrik Singh by putting the bomb in 2 Hello can and Tiffin went on the roof of Saragarhi Parking and kept it at the side of Heritage Street and we tagged polythene of bomb with rope, hanged it inside the street. After that we came down and tagged the rope with Rehri, so that whenever Rehri Operator will move its Rehri, polythene of bomb will fall down and bomb will blast. After that we went from there and after some time bomb blasted. On 07.05.2023 I had written a note that all persons present in Golden Temple to do prayer in Sri Darbar Sahib/ Golden Temple and all ladies be come in full clothes and I got photocopies of said hand written note and I gave these photocopies to Amrik Singh to fix/ paste it in front of and around the Golden Temple/ Hari Mandir Sahib and kept it in his bag and further deposited in store i.e. Gathari Ghar and he pasted one copy of this hand written note at the wall of rest house named Shri Guru Ram Dass Sarai. After that I and Amrik Singh by taking two steel buckets went inside the Room No. 225 of Guru Ram Dass Sarai by putting bomb [which we had already prepared] in steel buckets and by filling sand /stones and soil in buckets tapped it and prepared Desi bomb /Local Bomb. On 08.05.2023, at about 6:00 AM, again I and Amrik Singh by putting the bomb in Plastic polythene, by climbing up on the roof of Saragarhi Parking hanged this Bomb at the distance about 10 ft from earlier bomb by tagging polythene of bomb with rope and tagged rope with Rehri and went away. After some again bomb blasted. CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 7

On 10-05.2023 at 10:00 PM, like earlier similar method I and Amrik Singh prepared the bomb in steel bucket and on the midnight of dated 10/11.05.2023 at 12:15 Hours, I and Amrik Singh went in the parking site and threw the bomb, upon which bomb exploded/blasted and there was huge noise among the public. Amrik Singh went inside his room and slept there and I also slept near the gate of Sarai by keeping blankets. You apprehended us. I had also made such type of planning to explode more bombs at different places, because of which we had kept remaining explosive material, other material and 2 diaries in store i.e. Gathari Ghar by putting inside the bag. The token number 684 is in my pocket. The same has been recovered by you. I had written with my hand that the people should come present in Golden Temple to make prayer in Sri Darbar Sahib/ Golden Temple and all ladies to come in full clothes and I got 20-25 photocopies of said hand written note and I gave these photocopies to Amrik Singh to fix/ paste it before around the Golden Temple/ Har Mandir Sahib and one original hand written was in my pocket which has been recovered by you. The explosive material I can get recovered from the store : Gathri ghar. The memo of confession of accused Azadbir Singh has been taken."

f)o o Ono theo basiso ofo thiso disclosureo statemento ofo accusedo Azadbiro Singho@oAzad,oappellantoSahiboSinghowasoalsoonominatedoinobothotheoaboveo notedo FIRs.o o Appellanto Sahibo Singho waso arrestedo ino FIRo No.o 49o datedo

11.05.2023oono18.05.2023oandoalsooarrestedoinoFIRoNo.o47odatedo08.05.2023oono

22.05.2023.oo g)o o Duringo investigationo ofo FIRo No.o 49o datedo 11.05.2023o accusedo Sahibo Singho sufferedo disclosureo statemento ono 11.05.2023o too theo followingo effect:-o ooooooooooooo?On 02.05.2023 my known Dharminder Singh @ Mitha S/o Sodi Singh R/o 88 feet road, Majitha Road, Amritsar and Harjit Singh s/o Davinder Singh r/o 88 feet road, Majitha Road, Amrtisar made WhatsApp call and told that their associates Azadbir Singh @ Azad S/o Jasbir Singh R/o Wadala Kalan, Tehsil Baba Bakala, PS Khilchian, Amritsar and Amrik Singh alias Mika S/o Lakhbir Singh R/o Village Aadian, PS Darangla, District Gurdaspur came to Sri Darbar Sahib. They are to create terror in Government and public by causing bomb explosion and they require explosive material. Thereupon, I asked them that how much explosive they require, he told that they are demanding 2 kilo 500 gram and I demand Rs. 20 thousand for this explosive, and they agreed. On 5.5.2023, I and Dharminder Singh @ Mitha S/o Sodi Singh R/o 88 feet road, Majitha road, Amritsar and above said Harjit Singh were standing RAVINDERgKUMAR backside Sri Teja Singh Samundari Hall. Azadbir Singh CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 8

alias Azad S/o Jasbir Singh R/o above and Amrik Singh alias Mika S/o Lakhbir Singh R/o above met us. They told us that we are to create terror in public and government by causing bomb explosions. I had given them 2 kilo 500 gram explosives and other material for manufacturing the bomb like tape, pieces of card board and sieve etc. and they had given me Rs. 20 thousands. The above said Azadbir Singh and Amrik Singh by purchasing explosives from me, and by manufacturing bomb with the method described by Dharminder Singh and Harjit Singh had caused explosions, thereof had created terror in government and public. We have committed mistake, may be pardoned?o h)o o Asoperohisodisclosureostatement,oono13.05.2023oappellant-accusedo SahiboSinghogotorecoveredooneoblackocolouredopolytheneoenvelopeocontainingo twoomoreopolytheneoenvelopesoofosilverocolouroconsistingoofo285ogramoando230o gramoexplosivesorespectivelyoandooneoplasticobottleocontainingo180oMLoliquido substanceofromooneoironotrunkolyingoinotheopremisesoofohisofactoryosituatedoato Anngarh,oAmritsar,owhichowereoconvertedointoothreeoparcelsoandowereotakeno intoopossessionovideoseparateomemos.oo

i)ooooooooooooooo Ono 17.05.2023,o accusedo Sahibo Singho waso interrogatedo ino connectionowithoFIRoNo.o47oandoduringocustodialointerrogation,oaccusedoSahibo Singho sufferedo disclosureo statemento beforeo theo policeo regardingo hiso involvementoinotheocommissionoofocrimeoofoFIRoNo.o47oi.e.osupplyoofoexplosiveo material.oo j)o o Itohasoalsoocomeoinotheostatementsoofoco-accusedoAzadbiroSingho aliasoAzadoduringoinvestigationothatoappellantoSahiboSinghometowithootheroco-accusedo Dharminder Singh ( Mitha S/o Sodi Singh R/o 88 feet road, Majitha road, Amritsar, Harjit Singh, Azadbir Singh alias Azad S/o Jasbir Singh and Amrik Singh alias Mika S/o Lakhbir Singh ando handedo overo explosiveomaterialotoothemoforoRs.o20,000/-.oo o CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 9

4.o o LearnedoAdditionaloSessionsoJudge,oAmritsarodismissedotheobailo applicationo No.o 5479/12.09.2023o ofo accused-appellanto Sahibo Singho ono

21.09.2023oonotheogroundothatoaccused-appellantoisoinvolvedoinoconspiracyoofo manufacturingoofobomboandocausingobomboexplosiononearoSaragarhioParkingo andoonotheobacksideoofoGuruoRamdasoSarai,oGoldenoTemple,oAmritsaroasoheo hadoprovidedoexplosiveomaterialotooaccusedoAzadbiroSinghoaliasoAzadoSingho ando hiso accompliceso ando therefore,o ino viewo ofo theo gravityo ofo theo offence,o accusedowasonotoentitledoforotheobenefitooforegularobail.oo

5.o o Similarlyo bailo applicationo No.o 5381/06.09.2023o ino FIRo No.o 49o datedo 11.05.2023o waso dismissedo byo theo theno learnedo Additionalo Sessionso Judge,oAmritsaroono20.09.2023obyogivingosimilaroobservationsothatoaccused-appellantoisoinvolvedoinoconspiracyoofomanufacturingoofobomboandocausingo bomboexplosiononearoSaragarhioParkingoandoonotheobacksideoofoGuruoRamdaso Sarai,o Goldeno Temple,oAmritsaro aso heo hado providedo explosiveo materialo too accusedoAzadbiroSinghoaliasoAzadoSinghoandohisoaccomplices.oo

6.o o Learnedocounseloforotheoappellant-accusedoarguedoonosimilarolineso inobothotheoFIRsobyocontendingothatoappellantoSahiboSinghoisoinnocentoando nothingohasobeenorecoveredofromohimoandoheohasonooconnectionowithotheoco-accused.oHeoisorunningoaofireocrackersoshopoinoAmritsarosinceolongoandoheohaso beenofalselyoimplicatedoinotheopresentocaseoforotheoreasonsobestoknownotootheo police.o Theo appellanto purchasedo materialo foro preparingo crackerso fromo Saharanpuro video billso whicho areo annexedo aso Annexureo A-3.o Noo explosiveo materialowasorecoveredofromotheoappellant-accusedoandonoooffenceoisomadeoouto quaotheoappellant.oAsoperoFSLoreport,ocaseoofotheoappellantocomesowithinotheo ambitoofoSectiono9-BoofotheoExplosivesoAct,o1884oandothisooffenceoisobailableoino nature.oAsoperoFSLoreport,oNitriteoandoChlorideoionsowereofoundoinotheocontentso CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 10

ofotheoparcelsosentotooFSLoandotheomixtureoofoPotassiumonitrate,oPotassiumo Chlorate,o Sulphuro ando Aluminiumo areo generallyo usedo ino fireo crackers.o Mandatoryo requirementso aso requiredo undero Sectiono 45o ofo theo Unlawfulo Activitieso(Prevention)oAct,o1967ohasonotobeenotakenoforoprosecutionoofotheo accusedoandochallanohasobeenopresentedoinoCourt.oMandatoryoprescribedoperiodo forotakingosanctionoasoperoprovisionoofoSectiono47oofotheoUAPoActohasotoobeo adheredotoobyotheoprosecutionoandoappellant-accusedoisoinocustodyosinceolong.o Noosanctionoisoobtainedotooprosecuteotheoaccused-appellantounderoUAPoActoando noousefulopurposeoshallobeoservedokeepingotheoaccused-appellantoinocustody.oIno supporto ofo hiso contention,o learnedo defenceo counselo haso reliedo upono theo judgmentso renderedo byo Supremeo Courto ino Uniono ofo Indiao vs.o K.A.Najeebo passedoinoCriminaloAppealoNo.o98oofo2021oandoMahenderoLaloDasovs.oStateoofo Biharoandootherso(2002)o1oSupremeoCourtoCaseso149,oHussainaraoKhatoono andoothersovs.oHomeoSecretary,oStateoofoBiharo(1980)o1oSCCo81.oItoisofurthero submittedothatoappellant-accusedowilloabideobyoallotheotermsoandoconditionso imposedouponohimoinocaseoheoisograntedoregularobail.oo

7.o o Opposingo theo prayero madeo byo accused-appellanto foro releaseo ofo accusedo ono regularo bail,o learnedo Stateo counselo contendedo thato accused-appellantosuppliedoexplosiveomaterialotooco-accusedoandoco-accusedosucceededo inopreparingocrudeobombsoandoplantingothemonearotwoositesowhichoresultedointoo explosion.oFortunately,onoolossoofolifeotookoplaceobutotheoactodoneobyoaccused-appellantowasotoocauseodamageotootheounityoandointegrity,otoohurtoreligiouso harmonyoandotoodamageotheopropertyoofotheocountry.oHeovehementlyoprayedoforo dismissaloofotheobailoapplication.oo o CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 11

8.o o Accused-appellantofailedotoosubmitoanyolicenceotoocarryooutotheo businessoofomanufacturingoofofireocrackersoandotherefore,oitocannotobeoacceptedo thatoheoisorunningotheobusinessoofomanufacturingoofofireocrackers.oChallanohaso alreadyobeenopresentedoagainstotheoaccusedobeforeotheotrialoCourtoinobothotheo cases.o Provisionso ofo UnlawfuloActivitieso (Prevention)oAct,o 1967o haveo beeno invokedoagainstotheoaccused-appellantoinobothotheocases.oo

9.o o Embargoo foro releaseo ofo regularo bailo iso createdo undero Sectiono 43(d)(5)oofotheoUnlawfuloActivitieso(Prevention)oAct,o1967.oThisoSectionoreadso asounder:-o �������� Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, no person accused of an offence punishable under Chapters IV and VI of this Act shall, if in custody, be released on bail or on his own bond unless the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity of being heard on the application for such release: Provided that such accused person shall not be released on bail or on his own bond if the Court, on a perusal of the case diary or the report made under section173 of the Code is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against such person is prima facie true."

10.o o TheoprovisootooSectiono43(5)(d)oofoUAPoActoclearlyostatesothatoifo Courtsoareosatisfiedothatotheoprima-facieoallegationsoagainstotheoaccuseoareotrueo aftero"perusaloofocaseodiaryoororeportomadeounderosectiono173oCr.P.C."obailo cannoto beo granted.o Ino othero words,o aftero examiningo documentso annexedo too reportounderoSectiono173oCr.P.C.oifotheoCourtsoareosatisfiedothatoallegationso againstotheoaccusedoareonototrue,obailounderoSectiono43D(5)oofoUAPoActocanobeo granted.oo o CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 12

11.o o Hon'bleoApexoCourtoinocaseoGurwinderoSinghov.oStateoofoPunjab,o

(2024)o5oSCCo403,oelaboratelyodealtowithowhatoamountsotooaoprima-facieocase.o Paragraphso 24o too 35o ofo theo aforesaido judgmento areo relevanto whicho areo reproducedohereinofororeadyoreference:-o ���� The source of the power to grant bail in respect of non-bailable offences punishable with death or life imprisonment emanates from Section 439 CrPC. It can be noticed that Section 43-D(5) of the UAP Act modifies the application of the general bail provisions in respect of offences punishable under Chapter IV and Chapter VI of the UAP Act. ��� A bare reading of sub-section (5) of Section 43-D shows that apart from the fact that sub-section (5) bars a Special Court from releasing an accused on bail without affording the Public Prosecutor an opportunity of being heard on the application seeking release of an accused on bail, the proviso to sub-section (5) of Section 43-D puts a complete embargo on the powers of the Special Court to release an accused on bail. �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������� �������!"�������������� ������������#��������$����������������������������������� �������%��� &������� ���� %����'��&� ����� ���� ������������ �&������������������������&��������������������������� ���������������������������(����)�����������(��������� *+#�+�������������������������������������������������� ���� %�� ��������� ��� %���� ��� ��� ���� ���� %����� ��� ��� ����������&�������������������������������&�������'������ ������%��� ��� ���� ������ �������� ��� ���� ���� ������ ��� ������� ��,����� ��� ���� *+#� +���� ��� ����� ������� ���� ���&��&�� ��� %���� ����������� �������� �������� �������� ���-����������*+#�+��� �o

12.o o Hon'bleoApexoCourtoinoUnionoofoIndiaov.oK.A.oNajeeb,o(2021)o3o SCCo713oheldothatoSectiono43D(5)ooperoseodoesonotooustotheojurisdictionoofotheo constitutionaloCourtsotoograntobailoonoviolationoofoPartoIIIoofotheoConstitutionoofo India,obutoitofurtherostatesothatotheyohaveotoobeoconstruedoharmoniously.oItohaso beenoobservedoasounder:o–o "!"��It is thus clear to us that the presence of statutory restrictions like Section 43-D(5) of the UAPA per se does not oust the ability of the constitutional courts to grant bail on grounds of violation of Part III of the Constitution. �������� %���� ���� ������������� ������ �� �������� ��� ����� ��� ���� ������� �.������%��� ������ ��������������� /������������ ���� %�� ����� �������0��. Whereas at commencement of RAVINDERgKUMAR proceedings, the courts are expected to CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 13

appreciate the legislative policy against grant of bail but the rigours of such provisions will melt down where there is no likelihood of trial being completed within a reasonable time and the period of incarceration already undergone has exceeded a substantial part of the prescribed sentence. Such an approach would safeguard against the possibility of provisions like Section 43-D(5) of the UAPA being used as the sole metric for denial of bail or for wholesale breach of constitutional right to speedy trial."(emphasis supplied).

13.o o Ino Vernono v.o Stateo ofo Maharashtra,o (2023)o 15o SCCo 56,o Hon'bleoApexoCourtohasoheldoasounder:o–o o o "�!� We shall now turn to the other offence under the 1967 Act, which is under Section 13 thereof, and the 1860 Code offences. The yardstick for justifying the appellants' plea for bail is lighter in this context. The appellants are almost five years in detention. In K.A. Najeeb [Union of India v. K.A. Najeeb, (2021) 3 SCC 713] and Angela Harish Sontakke [Angela Harish Sontakke v. State of Maharashtra, (2021) 3 SCC 723], delay of trial was considered to be a relevant factor while examining the plea for bail of the accused. In K.A. Najeeb [Union of India v. K.A. Najeeb, (2021) 3 SCC 713], in particular, this same provision, that is, Section 43-D(5) was involved. ��� In these two proceedings, the appellants have not crossed, as undertrials, a substantial term of the sentence that may have been ultimately imposed against them if the prosecution could establish the charges against them. 1��� ���� ������������ ������������ ��� ���� ����� ����� �� K.A. Najeeb [Union of India v. K.A. Najeeb, ��2�!�� �� ��� "!�3�� ����� �� %���,����������&� ������� ������� ������� ���� /������������ ��� �� ��������������� ������ ��� ������&� ��� ���������� ���������������&�'��������������%������������������ �����%������������������+��������!��������������������� ���������������������������������������������%���, ����������&�����������%���&���'�4����������%�������� ���������� ����� ������ ������ ���,���%���'�� '����� ��� -������� ��� In Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali [NIA v. Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, (2019) 5 SCC 1 : (2019) 2 SCC (Cri) 383] reference was made to the judgment of Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal v. State of T.N. [Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal v. State of T.N., (2005) 2 SCC 13 : 2005 SCC (Cri) 481] in which, citing two earlier decisions of this Court in State v. Jagjit Singh [State v. Jagjit Singh, 1960 SCC OnLine SC 2 : AIR 1962 SC 253] and Gurcharan Singh v. State (Delhi Admn.) [Gurcharan Singh v. State (Delhi Admn.), (1978) 1 SCC 118 : 1978 SCC (Cri) 41], the factors for granting bail under normal circumstances were discussed. It was held that the nature and seriousness of the offences, the character of the evidence, circumstances which are peculiar to the RAVINDERgKUMAR CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 14

accused, a reasonable possibility of the presence of the accused not being secured at the trial; reasonable apprehension of witnesses being tampered with; the larger interest of the public or the State would be relevant factors for granting or rejecting bail. Juxtaposing the appellants' case founded on Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India with the aforesaid allegations and considering the fact that almost five years have lapsed since they were taken into custody, we are satisfied that the appellants have made out a case for granting bail. Allegations against them no doubt are serious, but for that reason alone bail cannot be denied to them. While dealing with the offences under Chapters IV and VI of the 1967 Act, we have referred to the materials available against them at this stage. These materials cannot justify continued detention of the appellants, pending final outcome of the case under the other provisions of the 1860 Code and the 1967 Act." (emphasis supplied).

14.o o TheoobservationsogivenobyoHon'bleoApexoCourtoinoHarpreeto Singho Talwaro @o Kabiro Talwaro vs.o Stateo ofo Gujarato througho Nationalo InvestigatingoAgency,o2025oSCCoOnoLineoSCo1103,oareoalsoorelevantoonotheo pointoregardingoreleaseoofoaccusedoonobailoinoUAPoAct.oInoparagraph-24,oitohaso beenoobservedoasounder:-o "��.The rigour of Section 43D(5) of the UAPA would, however, in an appropriate case yield to the overarching mandate of Article21of the Constitution, especially where the trial is inordinately delayed or where the incarceration becomes punitive. However, such relaxation cannot possibly be automatic and must be evaluated in light of the specific facts and risks associated with each case, as has been previously clarified."

15.o o Ato thiso stage,o prima-facieo wouldo meano thato material/evidenceo collectedobyotheoInvestigatingoAgencyoinoreferenceotooacquisitionoofoexplosiveo materialo againsto theo appellant-accusedo musto prevailo untilo controvertedo oro overcomeooro disprovedobyootheroagency.o FSLo reporto revealsothato10osealedo parcelsowereosentotooFSLowhichoareoasounder:-o Parcel A contained soil sample alleged to be collected from blast site. Parcel B contained soil sample alleged to be collected away from blast site. Parcel C contained (i) Metallic pieces (ii) pieces of tape (iii) pieces RAVINDERgKUMAR of paper. CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 15

Parcel D contained yellow powdery substance. Parcel E contained White substance. Parcel F contained Silver Powdery substance. Parcel G contained Concrete. Parcel H contained Silver powdery substance. Parcel I contained silver powdery substance. Parcel J contained Liquid substance.

oo o Onotheobasisoofotestsoperformed,oitowasoconcludedoinoFSLoreporto that:-o "1) Nitrite and Chloride ions are present in contents of parcels marked A and C referred above. Nitrite and Chloride ions are generally formed on explosion of low explosives i.e. Potassium nitrate and Potassium chlorate. 2) No explosive substance has been detected in contents of parcels marked B and G referred above. 3) Yellow powdery substance contained in parcel D under reference is Sulphur. 4) White substance contained in parcel D under reference is Potassium Chlorate. 5) Silver powdery substance contained in parcels Marked F, H and I under reference is Aluminium. 6) Liquid substance contained in parcel J under reference is Hydrogen peroxide."o o o FSLo reporto categoricallyo concludedo thato "theseo mixtureso ofo Potassiumonitrate,oPotassiumochlorate,oSulphuroandoAluminiumoareogenerallyo usedoinofireocrackersoandoonoexplosionotheyocanocauseodamageotoohumanolifeo andoproperty".oThus,oalthoughomaterialorecoveredofromotheoappellantoisoalsoo usedo foro manufactureo ofo fireo crackerso buto ito cano alsoo beo usedo foro makingo bombs,owhichowhenoexplodedoonopublicospacesomayocauseodamageotoohumano lifeoandoproperty.o

16.o o Asoobservedoearlier,oinotheoabsenceoofoanyolicenceotoocarryooutotheo businessoofofireocrackers,oonlyoconclusionothatocanobeodrawnoisothatotheosaido explosiveo materialo waso collectedo byo theo appellanto foro theo soleo purposeo ofo supplyotooco-accusedowhooindulgeoinoanti-nationaloandoanti-religiousoactivitieso toocauseoexplosionsonearoreligiousoplaces.oMoreover,oasosubmittedobyolearnedo CRA D Nos. 1208-2023 and 1252-2023 16

StateocounseloanoofficialocommunicationohasobeenomadeowithotheoGovernmento ofoPunjab,oHomeoAffairso&oJusticeoDepartment,oChandigarhovideoletteroNo.o 7842o datedo 04.07.2023o byo theo Director,o Bureauo ofo Investigation,o Punjab,o ChandigarhoforograntoofosanctionounderoSectiono45oofotheoUAPoActowhichoiso undero considerationoofo theo competento authorityo andonecessaryo followoupo iso beingomadeowithotheoquarteroconcernedotooobtainotheosanctionoatotheoearliest.oo

17.o o Accused-appellantoisoalsooinvolvedoinosevenocases.oAlthoughoheo haso beeno acquittedo ino FIRo Nos.o 7/2011,o 127/2011o ando 148/2019o registeredo underotheoExplosiveoActoinoPoliceoStationoGateoHakima,oAmritsar,obutotrialso arisingooutoofoFIRsoNo.o218/2022,o47/2023oando49/2023,oregisteredounderotheo ExplosiveoActoinoPoliceoStationoGateoHakima,oAmritsaroareopendingoagainstotheo accused-appellanto ando ino oneo caseo FIRo No.o 94/2023o theo investigationo iso pending.o

18.o o Ino viewo ofo theo statedo recoveryo ofo explosiveo materialo fromo theo exclusiveo possessiono ofo appellant,o hiso chequeredo history,o ando theo reasonso above-stated,oheoisonotoentitledoforobenefitooforegularobail.oAccordingly,obothotheo appealsostandodismissedobeingodevoidoofomerits.oo o o Aocopyoofothisoorderobeoplacedoinotheoconnectedofile.oo o oooooo o oooo o o o o o (oGURVINDERoSINGHoGILLo)o o o o(RAMESHoKUMARI)o oo ooooooJUDGEooooo o o o o o oooJUDGEo o o o o o o o oo

26.11.2025o ravinderoooo Whetherospeaking/reasonedo √Yes/Noo Whetheroreportableo √Yes/Nooo