CRM-M-3263 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA 207 HARINDER SINGH @ HARWINDER SINGH STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER CORAM:- HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL Present:- M for the petitioner. Mr. Amrit Pal Singh Gill, DAG, Punjab Mr. Piyush Sharma, Advocate for respondent No.2/complainant. ***** RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J. 1. Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (fo seek anticipatory bail in case Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police Station Division No.5, 2. On the BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.351 dated 17.11.2025 registered under Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police Station Division No.5, Distri petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He 3263-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM Date of decision: HARINDER SINGH @ HARWINDER SINGH Versus PUNJAB AND ANOTHER HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL Mr. Vikas Mehsempuri, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Amrit Pal Singh Gill, DAG, Punjab Mr. Piyush Sharma, Advocate for respondent No.2/complainant. ***** RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J. (ORAL) Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (fo seek anticipatory bail in case FIR No.351 dated 17.11.2025 registered under Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police Station Division No.5, Police Commissionerate Ludhiana On 06.02.2026, the following order “Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.351 dated 17.11.2025 registered under Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police Station Division No.5, District Ludhiana. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-3263-2026 Date of decision: 27.03.2026 HARINDER SINGH @ HARWINDER SINGH ….Petitioner ....Respondents HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL r. Vikas Mehsempuri, Advocate Mr. Amrit Pal Singh Gill, DAG, Punjab. for respondent No.2/complainant. Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”), the petitioner FIR No.351 dated 17.11.2025 registered under Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police Station Ludhiana. following order was passed by this Court: - nt petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.351 dated 17.11.2025 registered under Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police ct Ludhiana. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He ….Petitioner s Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the r short “BNSS”), the petitioner FIR No.351 dated 17.11.2025 registered under Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police Station nt petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.351 dated 17.11.2025 registered under Section 420 of IPC and Section 24 of the Immigration Act, at Police Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He GURPREET 2026.04.01 18:39 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document. CRM-M-3263 argued that the petitioner is permanent resident of United Kingdom and a false and concocted story has been created by the comp argued that the FIR was registered after an unexplained delay of more than two years from the alleged occurrence, casting serious doubt on the prosecution story. He further argued that the petitioner ne agent. He further argued that on the alleged date of occurrence as mentioned in the FIR i.e. 05.08.2023, the petitioner was in UK, as is evident from his passport which negates the allegations of the complainan Ludhiana on the same day. He further argued that mere allegation of payment of Rs.8 lakhs has been made but no details of the alleged transaction has been provided by the complainant. No recovery is to be counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to do so by investigating agency. status report referring to the same, she has opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail, by submitting that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are serious in nature. in appearance and filed his Vakalatnama, which is taken on record and while opposing the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, he has contended that the petitioner has played an active role in the crime and, thus, d concession of bail. investigation within a week from today and would appear as and when required by the Investigating Officer and cooperate with the Investigat 3263-2026 2 argued that the petitioner is permanent resident of United Kingdom and a false and concocted story has been created by the complainant only to extort money from the complainant. He argued that the FIR was registered after an unexplained delay of more than two years from the alleged occurrence, casting serious doubt on the prosecution story. He further argued that the petitioner neither met the complainant, nor he is a travel agent. He further argued that on the alleged date of occurrence as mentioned in the FIR i.e. 05.08.2023, the petitioner was in UK, as is evident from his passport which negates the allegations of the complainant that he met the petitioner near bus stand Ludhiana on the same day. He further argued that mere allegation of payment of Rs.8 lakhs has been made but no details of the alleged transaction has been provided by the complainant. No recovery is to be effected from the petitioner. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to do so by investigating agency. On the other hand, learned State counsel has filed the status report in the matter, which is taken on record and while referring to the same, she has opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail, by submitting that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are serious in nature. Learned counsel for respondent No. in appearance and filed his Vakalatnama, which is taken on record and while opposing the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, he has contended that the petitioner has played an active role in the crime and, thus, d concession of bail. Adjourned to 24.02.2026. In the meantime, the petitioner is directed to join investigation within a week from today and would appear as and when required by the Investigating Officer and cooperate with the Investigating Agency. In the event of arrest, he shall be argued that the petitioner is permanent resident of United Kingdom and a false and concocted story has been created by lainant only to extort money from the complainant. He argued that the FIR was registered after an unexplained delay of more than two years from the alleged occurrence, casting serious doubt on the prosecution story. He further argued that ither met the complainant, nor he is a travel agent. He further argued that on the alleged date of occurrence as mentioned in the FIR i.e. 05.08.2023, the petitioner was in UK, as is evident from his passport which negates the allegations t that he met the petitioner near bus stand Ludhiana on the same day. He further argued that mere allegation of payment of Rs.8 lakhs has been made but no details of the alleged transaction has been provided by the complainant. d from the petitioner. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to do so On the other hand, learned State counsel has filed the in the matter, which is taken on record and while referring to the same, she has opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail, by submitting that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are serious in nature. Learned counsel for respondent No.2/complainant has put in appearance and filed his Vakalatnama, which is taken on record and while opposing the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, he has contended that the petitioner has played an active role in the crime and, thus, does not deserve the In the meantime, the petitioner is directed to join investigation within a week from today and would appear as and when required by the Investigating Officer and cooperate with ing Agency. In the event of arrest, he shall be argued that the petitioner is permanent resident of United Kingdom and a false and concocted story has been created by lainant only to extort money from the complainant. He argued that the FIR was registered after an unexplained delay of more than two years from the alleged occurrence, casting serious doubt on the prosecution story. He further argued that ither met the complainant, nor he is a travel agent. He further argued that on the alleged date of occurrence as mentioned in the FIR i.e. 05.08.2023, the petitioner was in UK, as is evident from his passport which negates the allegations t that he met the petitioner near bus stand Ludhiana on the same day. He further argued that mere allegation of payment of Rs.8 lakhs has been made but no details of the alleged transaction has been provided by the complainant. d from the petitioner. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to do so On the other hand, learned State counsel has filed the in the matter, which is taken on record and while referring to the same, she has opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail, by submitting that the allegations levelled 2/complainant has put in appearance and filed his Vakalatnama, which is taken on record and while opposing the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, he has contended that the petitioner has oes not deserve the In the meantime, the petitioner is directed to join investigation within a week from today and would appear as and when required by the Investigating Officer and cooperate with ing Agency. In the event of arrest, he shall be GURPREET 2026.04.01 18:39 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document. CRM-M-3263 admitted to interim bail on furnishing of bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 3. The petitioner could not join investigation and was granted another opportunity vide order dated 24.02.2026. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the order dated petitioner has joined the investigation. 5. Learned counsel for the State, on instructions Singh, has submitted that the petitioner ha longer required for further investigation. 6. Learned offence committed by petitioner is serious in nature and hence, opposes the grant of bail to the petitioner 7. In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the interim order dated petitioner shall continue to join investigation, as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under Section 482(2) of the BNSS 27.03.2026 Gurpreet 3263-2026 3 admitted to interim bail on furnishing of bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.” The petitioner could not join investigation and was granted another opportunity vide order dated 24.02.2026. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the order dated 06.02.2026 and 24.02.2026 joined the investigation. Learned counsel for the State, on instructions has submitted that the petitioner has joined the investigation and longer required for further investigation. Learned counsel appearing for the complainant submits that the offence committed by petitioner is serious in nature and hence, opposes the grant of bail to the petitioner. In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the interim order dated 06.02.2026 passed by this Court, is made absolute. The petitioner shall continue to join investigation, as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under Section 482(2) of the BNSS. i) Whether speaking/reasoned? Yes/No ii) Whether reportable? Yes/No admitted to interim bail on furnishing of bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section The petitioner could not join investigation and was granted another opportunity vide order dated 24.02.2026. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of and 24.02.2026 passed by this Court, the Learned counsel for the State, on instructions of ASI Jaswinder joined the investigation and is no counsel appearing for the complainant submits that the offence committed by petitioner is serious in nature and hence, opposes the In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the passed by this Court, is made absolute. The petitioner shall continue to join investigation, as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under (RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL) JUDGE i) Whether speaking/reasoned? Yes/No admitted to interim bail on furnishing of bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section The petitioner could not join investigation and was granted Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the of ASI Jaswinder no counsel appearing for the complainant submits that the offence committed by petitioner is serious in nature and hence, opposes the In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the passed by this Court, is made absolute. The petitioner shall continue to join investigation, as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under (RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL) GURPREET 2026.04.01 18:39 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document.