Apex Court Sets Aside Punjab & Haryana High Court Order, Imposes Strict Bail Conditions.


22 September 2025 Bail and Antcipatory Bail >> Criminal Law  

The Supreme Court has released Bhupinder Pal on bail who was in custody from January 23, 2022, on a serious criminal case filed in Jalandhar, Punjab.

A Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi on September 22, 2025 permitted the appeal against a March 18, 2025 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court denying bail. The case is a consequence of Crime No. 9 of 2021, lodged at Sadar Police Station, Jalandhar, under the charges of Sections 302 (murder), 365 (abduction), 370 (trafficking), 417 (cheating), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professional Regulation Act, 2013.

Having heard submissions and perused the record of the case, the Court noted that the appellant had established a case for interference, given the duration of custody and the particular role accorded to him in the case.
 
 
 
 

In allowing Pal bail, the Supreme Court imposed certain conditions. Pal had to hand over his passport to the trial court, appear before the investigating officer on the first Monday of each month until completion of the inquiry, and not try to influence witnesses or abuse his freedom. The Court also authorized the trial court to revoke bail in case these conditions were violated.

Concurrent with these observations, the Bench ordered expediting of the trial for early disposal of the case.

With these instructions, the Court granted leave to appeal and directed Bhupinder Pal to be released on bail on such conditions as the trial court may fix.


Section 120B., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 302., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 365., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 370., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 471., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Indian Penal Code, 1860