SATNAM SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed the present (first) petition under Sec. 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for grant of regular bail in case FIR No.154 dtd. 11/6/2020 registered under Sec. 61 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914 at Police Station Shahkot, District Jalandhar Rural.

(2.) Briefly stated, the facts relevant for disposal of the present case are that on 11/6/2020 secret information was received by police party headed by ASI Balwinder Singh that Satnam Singh @ Satpal Singh @ Sattu Nihang (the petitioner) and his maternal nephews Jinder and Babbi were distilling illicit liquor at the banks of river Sutlej. The above said FIR was registered on the basis of secret information. Raid was accordingly conducted. All the three above named persons, who were identified by HC Sukhwinder Singh and S/CT Harish Kumar, allegedly escaped from the spot on seeing the police party. Two iron drums, working stills, six tarpaulin plastic containing 500 litres of lahan and one rubber tube containing illicit liquor were recovered. Sample of illicit liquor was taken and the same was measured which equalled to 49 bottles with 750 Mls each. Lahan was destroyed. Samples and bottles of illicit liquor were taken into possession. During investigation, Paramjit Singh @ Babbi and Jinder were found to be innocent as they were in custody in Central Jail, Faridkot in case FIR No.354 dtd. 13/12/2014 registered under Ss. 307, 326, 323, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 at Polie Station Dharamkot, District Moga. The petitioner was arrested on 9/4/2021 and on completion of investigation charge-sheet was filed against him.

(3.) The petitioner being in custody has filed the present petition for grant of regular bail.