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After HC flags long custody without trial conclusion, accused in another UAPA case in Punjab denied bail after 4 years

The bail plea of accused Jaswant Singh Sohnewala in a UAPA case had been pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court since September 2021.

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Nov 12, 2025 04:15 PM IST

As per the records, Sohnewala was not named in the initial FIR but was nominated later, and no recoveries were made from him. All the co-accused in the case are already out on bail. (File)

Days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that long custody without conclusion of trial amounts to punishment before conviction, while granting bail to an accused in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, another bench disposed of a similar plea pending for four years without providing any relief to the petitioner in a separate UAPA case.

On November 3, while granting bail to a UAPA accused, Jagwinder Singh alias Jagga, who had been behind bars for more than five years under stringent provisions of the Act, the bench of Justices Deepak Sibal and Lapita Banerji had observed that “long custody without conclusion of trial amounts to punishment before conviction.”

The current case pertains to a First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Mukandpur police station in Punjab’s Nawanshahr in which the bail plea of accused Jaswant Singh Sohnewala had been pending before the high court since September 2021.

On Tuesday, the division bench of Justices Gurvinder Singh Gill and Ramesh Kumari disposed of the bail application.

As per the records, Sohnewala was not named in the initial FIR but was nominated later, and no recoveries were made from him. All the co-accused in the case are already out on bail.

No relief for Jaswant Sohnewala

Sohnewala, however, was not extended any relief based on the prolonged custody. He was accused of instigating others for Khalistani activities and being the main leader.

According to the FIR, Manjit Singh alias Duhra, residing in Canada, sent an amount of Rs 45,791 to carry out unlawful activities in India. The case is based on the co-accused Satnam Singh’s disclosure statement that Jagwinder Singh (different person from Jagwinder mentioned above) alias Hari Singh approached him in April 2017 in Lucknow, along with Manvir Singh and, on their request, he gave them a .315 bore pistol, 10 cartridges, a .32 bore pistol, and eight cartridges after it was purchased for Rs 30,000.

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Satnam said the amount of Rs 30,000 was given by Jagwinder Singh after taking it from Manvir Singh. Later, co-accused Gurjit Singh alias Ghaint alias Gaggu disclosed that Sohnewala had been instigating others for Khalistani activities and was the main leader.

The public prosecutor, while opposing bail for Sohnewala, argued that he had committed the serious offence of criminal conspiracy and abetting the waging of war against the Union of India.

‘49 hearings held’

Speaking to The Indian Express, Sohnewala’s counsel Jaspal Singh Manjhpur asked, “Can anyone wage war against the Union of India with just Rs 45,000, a pistol, and a few cartridges?”

He added, “Sohnewala’s bail was first listed before a single-judge bench in September 2021. On February 7, 2023, it was ordered to be sent to a two-judge bench. In total, there were nine hearings by four single judges and 40 hearings by 20 different division benches — altogether 49 hearings by 24 judges from September 2021 to November 2025 – which only ended with the disposal of the bail plea,” the lawyer said.

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“How come the parameters used in Jagwinder Singh alias Jagga’s case don’t work in Jaswant Singh Sohnewala’s case?” he asked.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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