CRM-M-52911 of 2025(O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-52911 of 2025(O&M) Date of Order:24.09.2025 Meena Rani alias Pinna ..Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ..Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL Present: Mr. Rajat Dogra, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Hardeep Singh Wadhwa, DAG, Punjab SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL , JUDGE Petitioner seeks regular bail in case vide FIR No.09, dated 03.02.2025, under Sections 137(2) and 96 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Police Station Kabarwala, District Sri Muktsar Sahib. Section 87 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 has been added in the FIR during investigation and Section 96 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has been dropped from the FIR during investigation vide Rapat No.27, dated 07.04.2025. This is her first petition for regular bail. Case was registered on complaint of 'G', who alleged that on 09.01.2025, when her husband had gone to the farm for work and her son Satpal Singh was away to Chandigarh, at about 90:00 am, her daughter 'S' complained of stomach pain and went out towards the farm on the pretext of answering call of nature. When she did not return after some time, they launched a search but could not find her. On inquiry, she learnt that Gurdas Singh son of Manga Singh, resident of Himmatpura Basti, Malout, along NARESH KUMAR 2025.09.25 14:17 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-52911 of 2025(O&M) -2- with his brother Abba Singh had taken away 'S' on the pretext of marriage. One month ago, Gurdas Singh had taken away her daughter but she returned home so they did not take any action. On 09.01.2025, Gurdas Singh along with his brother Abba Singh (son of Manga Singh), mother Pinna wife of Manga Singh and Jaswinder Singh, all residents of Himmatpura Basti, Malout had taken away her minor daughter 'S' on the pretext of getting her married. Learned counsel for the petitioner inter-alia argued that complainant's daughter herself left the house and was not kidnapped either by the petitioner or by her son on the pretext of solemnizing marriage. In fact, petitioner had no role in the incident. There was delay of 25 days in lodging the FIR and no offence under Section 87 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 was made out against the petitioner. He further submitted that petitioner was in judicial custody in the case with effect from 11.02.2025 and trial to conclude would take some time. Prayer is made for release of petitioner on regular bail. Notice of motion. On the asking of the Court, Mr. Hardeep Singh Chadha, DAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the State and opposes the prayer for bail on the ground of serious nature of allegations against the petitioner. Statement of the prosecutrix under Section 183 Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been placed on record by learned State counsel. Therein prosecutrix stated that Gurdas Singh son of Mangal Singh was known to her for the last 1½ years. She had told her family members that she wanted to live with Gurdas Singh but her family members did not NARESH KUMAR 2025.09.25 14:17 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-52911 of 2025(O&M) -3- agree and wanted to marry her with someone else. Therefore, she had gone away with Gurdas Singh of her own on 09.01.2025 at about 8:00 am to Abohar and solemnized marriage with him. She further stated that she loved him very much and wanted to go with him. Petitioner is in custody in the case with effect from 11.02.2025. Her antecedents are clean. She is not stated to be involved in any other offence. Trial is likely to take some time to conclude. Considering the over all facts and circumstances of the case, but without commenting on merits, petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail subject to her furnishing adequate bail and surety bonds to the satisfaction of trial Court/Duty Magistrate. All the pending miscellaneous applications, if any, stand disposed of. (SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL) JUDGE 24th September, 2025 nt Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No NARESH KUMAR 2025.09.25 14:17 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document