Archive · 20 Aug 2026
High Court Grants Bail to Guard in Milk Theft Case
A dairy said someone allegedly put milk into a tanker and tried to take it away.
The milk was said to be worth Rs 7.68 lakh.
A security guard at the dairy was arrested because investigators believed he may have helped.
The guard said he only watched the premises and did not control the machines that moved the milk.
Prosecutors argued that the allegations were serious and that he might run away or commit another offense.
The High Court decided that he did not need to stay in jail while the case continued.
The court also said the trial could take a long time.
It therefore granted him bail, which means he can remain out of custody while appearing in court as required.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted bail to a security guard accused in an alleged milk theft.
The alleged theft occurred at Modern Dairies Ltd. in Shamgarh, Karnal, on December 17, 2025.
Security staff allegedly found 9,110 kilograms of milk worth Rs 7.68 lakh inside a tanker.
The guard was arrested on December 19, 2025, and had remained in custody during the investigation.
The court said pretrial detention should not be punitive and reiterated that bail is the rule, while jail is the exception.
- Who
- A security guard accused of involvement in the alleged theft; Modern Dairies Ltd. and the prosecution opposed his bail.
- What
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted the guard bail in a case involving the alleged theft of 9,110 kilograms of milk.
- When
- The alleged theft occurred on December 17, 2025; the guard was arrested on December 19, 2025, and the court’s order was dated August 12.
- Where
- Modern Dairies Ltd. in Shamgarh, Karnal.
- Why
- The court found that the guard was no longer required for investigation, that the trial could take considerable time, and that continued custody would serve no useful purpose.
Guard’s defense
Prosecution’s position
Role in the alleged theft
Guard’s defense
The guard said he was temporarily deputed only to protect the premises and had no control over the dairy’s loading mechanism or internal pumping operations.
Prosecution’s position
The prosecution relied on the gravity of the allegations and alleged that the guard was involved in the milk theft.
Evidence and investigation
Guard’s defense
The defense argued that the guard was named based on a co-accused’s disclosure statement, had clean antecedents, and had no remaining recovery pending from him.
Prosecution’s position
Investigators allegedly found that the accused had been sending milk outside the plant, while suspicious transactions were found in a co-accused’s account.
Risk of release
Guard’s defense
The defense argued that the guard’s continued detention served no useful purpose because the investigation no longer required his custody.
Prosecution’s position
The prosecution argued that he might abscond or commit similar offenses if granted bail.
- Alleged stolen milk
- 9,110 kilograms
- Alleged value
- Rs 7.68 lakh
- Tanker capacity mentioned
- 11,800 kilograms
- Alleged filling
- Around 9,800 litres of milk
- Arrest date
- December 19, 2025
- Investigation detail
- Police allegedly found suspicious bank transactions totaling Rs 45 lakh in a co-accused’s account
- Court principle
- Bail is the rule and jail is an exception