The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted regular bail to Anmoldeep Singh in a case involving the alleged theft and subsequent sale of government wheat stored in a PUNGRAIN godown in Amritsar district. The court noted that the prosecution's case against the petitioner was primarily based on a disclosure statement made by a co-accused and that no further recovery was required from him.
Justice Surya Partap Singh passed the order on June 1, 2026, while hearing the petition filed under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Background of the Case
According to the prosecution, unidentified persons allegedly entered a rented government wheat storage facility known as Chohan Open Complex at Narangarh during the night of March 17-18, 2026. It was alleged that the intruders confined the watchman at gunpoint and removed 1,077 bags of government wheat weighing about 538.50 quintals.
During the investigation, Anmoldeep Singh and another accused, Mahinderpal Singh, were nominated on the basis of disclosure statements. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner and the co-accused had purchased a portion of the wheat that was allegedly taken from the godown.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that there was no allegation that Anmoldeep Singh participated in the alleged robbery or theft. It was further submitted that he had no criminal antecedents, had remained in custody for more than two months, and nothing remained to be recovered from him.
While examining the record, the High Court referred to several Supreme Court decisions concerning the evidentiary value of disclosure statements made by co-accused persons.
The bench observed that the only material collected against the petitioner was a disclosure statement recorded during police custody of a co-accused. The court noted that the admissibility and credibility of such a statement would remain a matter for consideration during trial.
“The only allegation against the petitioner is that he purchased the stolen property from the main accused,” the court observed.
Justice Singh also noted that the petitioner had clean antecedents, the recovery of wheat had already been effected, and there was no indication that he would tamper with evidence or influence witnesses if released on bail.
The court further took into account that none of the 19 prosecution witnesses had been examined so far and that the trial was unlikely to conclude in the near future.
Referring to established principles governing bail, the court reiterated that personal liberty and the right to a speedy trial remain important considerations in criminal proceedings.
Allowing the petition, the High Court ordered the release of Anmoldeep Singh on regular bail, subject to furnishing the required bonds before the trial court.
The court directed that the petitioner shall not influence witnesses, shall keep the trial court informed about any change of address, and shall not leave India without prior permission of the trial court.
The order clarified that the observations made while granting bail would not affect the merits of the case during trial.
Case Details:
Case Title: Anmoldeep Singh v. State of Punjab
Case Number: CRM-M-28203-2026
Judge: Justice Surya Partap Singh
Decision Date: June 1, 2026
