Sidhu Moosewala Murder Case: Supreme Court Grants Bail To Pawan Bishnoi And Jagtar Singh

The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing the regular bail plea of Pawan Bishnoi, who is suspected to have been part of the module that allegedly provided logistical support for the murder of Moosewala.

Along with Bishnoi’s plea, the Court also considered the bail application of Jagtar Singh, a neighbour of Moosewala, who had been accused of conducting reconnaissance of the singer’s residence and tracking his movements before the murder.

During the hearing, counsel for Bishnoi argued that the allegations against his client were limited to the claim that he arranged a Bolero vehicle that was later used in the crime.

“The allegation against me is that I provided a Bolero which was used in the crime,” Bishnoi’s counsel submitted, adding that his client had no connection with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

“Only my title matches. I do not have any other relation with Lawrence Bishnoi,” the counsel told the Court.

The Bench questioned whether the vehicle allegedly used in the crime was registered in Bishnoi’s name.

Responding to the query, the State counsel said that the vehicle was not registered in Bishnoi’s name but claimed that there were 41 phone calls between the petitioner and a co-accused relating to arranging the vehicle.

Bishnoi’s counsel countered that other individuals allegedly involved in supplying weapons, identified as Pawan Nehra and Sukhjeet, had not even been charge-sheeted in the case. He further argued that no recovery had been made from Bishnoi and that his alleged role was minimal. “My role is limited. There is no recovery from me. I have already spent three years and ten months in custody. I am seeking regular bail,” the counsel submitted.

Opposing the plea, the State argued that the conspiracy to murder Moosewala had been planned over a prolonged period. “There is a series of events that took place. The planning was going on for about a month,” the State counsel said.

According to the prosecution, the accused who carried out the shooting had visited Bishnoi’s residence to procure the vehicle used in the crime.

The State also claimed that the Bolero vehicle was arranged in the name of a friend of the petitioner after instructions allegedly received from gangster Goldy Brar.

The Court, however, remarked during the hearing that several of the allegations appeared to be based on conjecture.

“These are all conjectures,” the Bench observed at one stage.

The State further told the Court that there were protected witnesses in the case and that Moosewala’s mother had also given a statement against the petitioner.

The Court also questioned the use of mobile phones by accused persons while in custody. “How were mobile phones used in jail? Are your jail authorities also in conspiracy?” the Bench asked the State during the hearing. It also heard the bail plea of Jagtar Singh, who was alleged to have conducted reconnaissance of Moosewala’s residence.

His counsel submitted that Singh was merely a neighbour and denied the allegation that surveillance cameras installed near the house were meant to track Moosewala’s movements. “I am just the neighbour. The cameras were installed for security of the house, not for recce,” Singh’s counsel argued.

After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court granted bail to Jagtar Singh and Pawan Bishnoi. During the hearing, the Bench also inquired about the progress of the trial.

Counsel informed the Court that Moosewala’s father had already been examined as a witness, while the singer’s mother and several other eyewitnesses were yet to testify. The prosecution indicated that the case was presently at the stage of recording evidence.