Punjab and Haryana High Court denies bail to man in jail for 3 years as prosecution cites ‘link’ to terrorist Arsh Dalla

The Punjab and Haryana High Court says the prolonged custody of the accused is outweighed by the seriousness of the allegations and that key witnesses need to be examined before considering bail.

The chargesheet was filed on May 3, 2023, and charges were framed on February 10, 2025.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday declined to grant bail to Sukhdev Singh, an accused in a case related to the January 2023 murder of Paramjit Singh, in which provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act have been invoked, holding that the gravity of the offence outweighed the prejudice caused by prolonged pre-trial custody.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry dismissed the bail plea for the time being, observing that some of the main prosecution witnesses should be examined before the request for bail could be reconsidered.

Sukhdev Singh has been in custody since January 7, 2023. The chargesheet was filed on May 3, 2023, and charges were framed on February 10, 2025. However, not a single prosecution witness has been examined so far. The trial is now fixed for the examination of the first prosecution witness on January 21. The prosecution has cited 42 witnesses, including 27 official witnesses.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that Singh had clean antecedents and was implicated on mere suspicion arising from a family dispute. It was submitted that the original FIR, registered on January 4, 2023, under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 302 (murder) and 34 (act with common intention), along with provisions of the Arms Act, did not name Singh and that the UAPA provisions were added subsequently without any material showing his association with a terrorist organisation.

Suicide after family dispute over marriage

According to the prosecution, the crime stemmed from a family dispute arising out of a proposed marriage between Sukhdev Singh’s son Dilpreet and the niece of Paramjit Singh, the murder victim. The proposal led to tensions between the two families and, following the breakdown of relations, Dilpreet allegedly died by suicide, resulting in a separate FIR under IPC section 306 (abetment of suicide).

The prosecution claims that the family of Sukhdev Singh held Paramjit Singh and his relatives responsible for the suicide and, driven by this grievance, conspired to take revenge. It is alleged that Sukhdev Singh’s other son, Lovepreet, who resides in Australia, contacted Arsh Dalla, a designated terrorist, who then arranged the shooting of Paramjit Singh and later claimed responsibility for the killing on social media.

The defence contended that the allegation against Sukhdev Singh rested primarily on two statements claiming that he was overheard speaking to Lovepreet about arranging money and seeking revenge. The counsel argued that there was no direct evidence, no recovery, no call detail records, and no proof of any financial transaction linking Sukhdev Singh with the alleged shooters or with Arsh Dalla.

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Opposing the bail plea, the state argued that the murder was the result of a conspiracy involving overseas handlers. The prosecution submitted that Lovepreet had contacted Arsh Dalla to eliminate Paramjit Singh and that Sukhdev Singh’s role emerged through witness statements indicating that he remained in contact with his son and with persons connected to Arsh Dalla and that money was arranged for the execution of the crime. It was further argued that UAPA provisions were invoked after Arsh Dalla was designated as a terrorist by the Government of India in 2023.

After hearing both sides, the bench noted that Sukhdev Singh’s implication, made on January 5, 2023, a day after the FIR was lodged, was based primarily on statements of the complainant, Jagroop Singh, the brother of Paramjit Singh, and another witness who claimed to have overheard incriminating conversations.

The court observed that the authenticity and veracity of these statements would be tested during the trial.
“Though some prejudice has been caused to the petitioner due to prolonged pre-trial and under-trial custody, the same gets outweighed by the gravity of the offence,” the bench held, adding that it would be appropriate for some of the main witnesses to be examined before considering bail.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More