CRM-M-27585 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT (205) HARDEEP SINGH STATE OF PUNJAB CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present: Mr. J.K. Singla, Advocate and Ms. Suman Rani, Advocate for the petitioner Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, MANISHA BATRA, J. (ORAL) 1. Through the instant petition under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’), the petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case FIR No. registered under Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNS”) on) at Police Station Bhikhi, District Mansa. 2. Vide order dated petitioner was relea investigation. 27585-2026 (O&M) (1) IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM Date of decision : 17.07. HARDEEP SINGH Versus STATE OF PUNJAB HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Mr. J.K. Singla, Advocate and Ms. Suman Rani, Advocate for the petitioner Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab **** MANISHA BATRA, J. (ORAL) Through the instant petition under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’), the petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case FIR No. registered under Sections 303(2), 126(2), 115(2), 191(3), 190 of Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNS”) (Section 117(2) of BNS added later on) at Police Station Bhikhi, District Mansa. Vide order dated 15.05.2026 passed by this Court, the petitioner was released on interim bail and was directed to join (1) IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CRM-M-27585-2026 (O&M) Date of decision : 17.07.2026 ... Petitioner ...Respondent HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Ms. Suman Rani, Advocate for the petitioner Through the instant petition under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’), the petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case FIR No.72 dated 21.03.2026 Sections 303(2), 126(2), 115(2), 191(3), 190 of Bharatiya (Section 117(2) of BNS added later .2026 passed by this Court, the sed on interim bail and was directed to join AMIT SHARMA 2026.07.17 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment. CRM-M-27585 3. Learned State counsel filed status report dated on instructions states that the petitioner 24.05.2026 and has su names of the other persons involved with him in the occurrence and has not cooperated with the investigation, therefore, his custodial interrogation is required. 4. The petitioner joined investigati regard to contention that the petitioner has not co investigation, it may be stated that the behavior attributed to the petitioner cannot be considered as an instance of non for grant of pre not expected to make self incriminating statement under the threat that the State may seek withdrawal of the interim protection granted to him. disclosure of names of some other per act of not cooperating in the investigation. purpose of joining investigation is to make oneself available to the investigating agency and to respond to lawful queries and not to compulsorily divulge self conduct of the petitioner in appearing before the Investigating Officer and responding to the investigation, satisfies the legal standard of cooperation. Accordingly, the present petition is 27585-2026 (O&M) (2) Learned State counsel filed status report dated on instructions states that the petitioner has 24.05.2026 and has submitted that since the petitioner has not disclosed the names of the other persons involved with him in the occurrence and has not cooperated with the investigation, therefore, his custodial interrogation is The petitioner joined investigati regard to contention that the petitioner has not co investigation, it may be stated that the behavior attributed to the petitioner cannot be considered as an instance of non-cooperation, justifying denial of pre-arrest bail since, an accused, while joining investigation, is not expected to make self incriminating statement under the threat that the State may seek withdrawal of the interim protection granted to him. disclosure of names of some other persons cannot be considered to be an act of not cooperating in the investigation. purpose of joining investigation is to make oneself available to the investigating agency and to respond to lawful queries and not to divulge self-incriminating information. In the instant case, the conduct of the petitioner in appearing before the Investigating Officer and responding to the investigation, satisfies the legal standard of cooperation. Accordingly, the present petition is allowed and the order dated (2) Learned State counsel filed status report dated 09.07.2026 and joined the investigation on bmitted that since the petitioner has not disclosed the names of the other persons involved with him in the occurrence and has not cooperated with the investigation, therefore, his custodial interrogation is The petitioner joined investigation on 24.05.2026. With regard to contention that the petitioner has not co-operated with the investigation, it may be stated that the behavior attributed to the petitioner cooperation, justifying denial arrest bail since, an accused, while joining investigation, is not expected to make self incriminating statement under the threat that the State may seek withdrawal of the interim protection granted to him. Non- sons cannot be considered to be an act of not cooperating in the investigation. It is well settled that the purpose of joining investigation is to make oneself available to the investigating agency and to respond to lawful queries and not to incriminating information. In the instant case, the conduct of the petitioner in appearing before the Investigating Officer and responding to the investigation, satisfies the legal standard of cooperation. allowed and the order dated 15.05.2026 AMIT SHARMA 2026.07.17 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment. CRM-M-27585 granting interim bail to the petitioner is made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions laid down in Section 482(2) of BNSS. 6. Since the main petition application, if any, is rendered infructuous. 17.07.2026 Amit Sharma 27585-2026 (O&M) (3) granting interim bail to the petitioner is made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions laid down in Section 482(2) of BNSS. Since the main petition has been disposed of, application, if any, is rendered infructuous. (MANISHA BATRA) Whether speaking/reasoned:- Yes/No Whether reportable:- Yes/No (3) granting interim bail to the petitioner is made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions laid down in Section 482(2) of BNSS. has been disposed of, pending (MANISHA BATRA) JUDGE Yes/No AMIT SHARMA 2026.07.17 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment.