CRM-M-14644 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA 226 YADWINDER SINGH STATE OF PUNJAB CORAM:- HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL Present:- M Mr. Vishal Munjal, for the petitioner. Mr. Rahul Jindal, AAG, Punjab. ***** RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J. (ORAL) 1. Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”), the petitioners seek anticipatory bail in case Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Developme and Sections 303(2) BNS, 2023 at Police Station Taragarh, District Pathankot 2. On the BNSS, 2023 is for g in case FIR No.148 dated 14.11.2025 registered under Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Sections 303(2) BNS, 2023 at Police Station Taragarh, District Pathankot. 14644-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM Date of decision: YADWINDER SINGH Versus PUNJAB HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL Ms. Bindu Bala, Advocate for Mr. Vishal Munjal, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Rahul Jindal, AAG, Punjab. ***** RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J. (ORAL) Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”), the petitioners seek anticipatory bail in case FIR No.148 dated 14.11.2025 registered under Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Developme and Sections 303(2) BNS, 2023 at Police Station Taragarh, District Pathankot On 17.03.2026, 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.148 dated 14.11.2025 registered under Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Sections 303(2) BNS, 2023 at Police Station Taragarh, District Pathankot. IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-14644-2026 Date of decision: 02.04.2026 ….Petitioner ....Respondent HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”), the petitioners FIR No.148 dated 14.11.2025 registered under Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Sections 303(2) BNS, 2023 at Police Station Taragarh, District Pathankot. following order was passed by this Court: - Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of rant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.148 dated 14.11.2025 registered under Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Sections 303(2) BNS, 2023 at Police Station Taragarh, ….Petitioner ....Respondent Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNSS”), the petitioners FIR No.148 dated 14.11.2025 registered under nt and Regulation) Act, 1957 . Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of rant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.148 dated 14.11.2025 registered under Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Sections 303(2) BNS, 2023 at Police Station Taragarh, GURPREET 2026.04.02 19:22 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document. CRM-M-14644 petitioner is not named in the FIR and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He argues that the allegations against the petitioner are based merely on suspicion and without any direct evidence. He subm owner of the Poclain machine recovered from the spot. He further submits that the petitioner was not doing any illegal mining which is evident from the FIR itself and in fact sand was extracted from the fields of one even at the time of alleged raid the poclain machine was parked. He further submits that similarly placed co Kumar has already been granted concession of bail by learned Additional Sessions Judge 11.02.2026. He submits that the petitioner has clean antecedents as he is not involved in any other case. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to investigating agency. accepts notice on behalf of respondent file status report in the matter. 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 admitted to interim bail on furnishing satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023. 14644-2026 2 Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner is not named in the FIR and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He argues that the allegations against the petitioner are based merely on suspicion and without any direct evidence. He submits that the petitioner is not the true owner of the Poclain machine recovered from the spot. He further submits that the petitioner was not doing any illegal mining which is evident from the FIR itself and in fact sand was extracted from the fields of one Keshav Dass. He submitted that even at the time of alleged raid the poclain machine was parked. He further submits that similarly placed co Kumar has already been granted concession of bail by learned Additional Sessions Judge-I, Pathankot 11.02.2026. He submits that the petitioner has clean antecedents as he is not involved in any other case. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to investigating agency. Notice of motion. On asking of the Court, Mr. Ravinder Singh, DAG Punjab accepts notice on behalf of respondent file status report in the matter. Adjourned to 02.04.2026. 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 admitted to interim bail on furnishing satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.” ounsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner is not named in the FIR and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He argues that the allegations against the petitioner are based merely on suspicion and without its that the petitioner is not the true owner of the Poclain machine recovered from the spot. He further submits that the petitioner was not doing any illegal mining which is evident from the FIR itself and in fact sand was Keshav Dass. He submitted that even at the time of alleged raid the poclain machine was parked. He further submits that similarly placed co-accused Avinash Kumar has already been granted concession of bail by learned I, Pathankot vide order dated 11.02.2026. He submits that the petitioner has clean antecedents as he is not involved in any other case. 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 the On asking of the Court, Mr. Ravinder Singh, DAG Punjab accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State and seeks time to 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 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 ounsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner is not named in the FIR and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He argues that the allegations against the petitioner are based merely on suspicion and without its that the petitioner is not the true owner of the Poclain machine recovered from the spot. He further submits that the petitioner was not doing any illegal mining which is evident from the FIR itself and in fact sand was Keshav Dass. He submitted that even at the time of alleged raid the poclain machine was parked. accused Avinash Kumar has already been granted concession of bail by learned vide order dated 11.02.2026. He submits that the petitioner has clean antecedents as he is not involved in any other case. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join do so by the On asking of the Court, Mr. Ravinder Singh, DAG Punjab State and seeks time to 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 of bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section GURPREET 2026.04.02 19:22 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document. CRM-M-14644 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the order dated investigation. 4. Learned counsel for the State, on instructions Singh, has submitted that the longer required for further investigation. 5. In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the interim order dated petitioner shall conti Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under Section 482(2) of the BNSS 02.04.2026 Gurpreet 14644-2026 3 Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the order dated 17.03.2026 passed by this Court, the petitioner ha investigation. Learned counsel for the State, on instructions has submitted that the petitioner has joined the investigation and longer required for further investigation. In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the interim order dated 17.03.2026 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 Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of passed by this Court, the petitioner has joined the Learned counsel for the State, on instructions from SI Angrej joined the investigation and is no In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the passed by this Court, is made absolute. The nue 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 Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of joined the from SI Angrej no In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the passed by this Court, is made absolute. The nue to join investigation, as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under (RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL) GURPREET 2026.04.02 19:22 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document.