IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-13550-2025 Date of decision: 08.05.2025 SADHU SINGH ALIAS KHALSA ….PETITIONER Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ...RESPONDENT CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV BERRY Present:- Mr. Vivek Singla, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Jatinder Pal Singh, Sr. DAG, Punjab. **** SANJIV BERRY, J. (ORAL) By way of present petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case FIR (Annexure P-1) as under: FIR No. Dated Sections Police Station 06 19.02.2025 61 of The Punjab Excise Act, 1914 Nandgarh, District Bathinda. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance to the order dated 26.03.2025 passed by this Court, the petitioner has already joined the investigation and as such prayed for confirming the interim bail granted vide order dated 26.03.2025. 3. Learned State counsel intimates the Court that the petitioner has joined investigation and is neither required for further investigation nor for any custodial interrogation. 4. During the course of hearing on 26.03.2025, following order was passed: “Heard. KANIKA 2025.05.09 15:00 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment CRM-M-13550-2025 2 It is inter alia contended by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner, aged about 64 years, has been falsely implicated in this case and doubted the version given in the FIR that the petitioner had ran away from the spot, which is not probable in the presence of armed police officials being present at the time of alleged raid. He contends that the earlier FIR registered against him under the Excise Act in 2002, the petitioner had already been acquitted and he is not indulging in such like activities. Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Gurmail Singh has not disputed the factum of acquittal of the petitioner in the earlier case registered under the Excise Act in the year 2002. Be it the case, without commenting on the merits of the case, the petitioner is hereby directed to join investigation within seven days from today and co-operate in the same. In the event of the arrest of the petitioner, he shall be released on interim bail on his furnishing personal/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer/Investigating Officer. He shall also abide by conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) BNSS. List on 23.04.2025.” 5. Keeping in view the above submissions made by learned State counsel and the fact that the petitioner had joined the investigation consequent to the order dated 26.03.2025 passed by this Court, interim bail granted vide order dated 26.03.2025 is hereby confirmed, subject to conditions as envisaged under Section 482 (2) of BNSS, 2023. Further the petitioner is directed to join investigation as and when required in future by way of written notice for such purpose to be served by Investigating Officer KANIKA 2025.05.09 15:00 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment CRM-M-13550-2025 3 of this case upon the petitioner; he will not tamper with the evidence nor will influence the witnesses and will not leave the country without prior permission of the Court. 6. The petition stands allowed. 7. It is made clear that anything contained hereinabove shall not be construed to be an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 08.05.2025 (SANJIV BERRY) kanika JUDGE i) Whether speaking/reasoned? Yes/No ii) Whether reportable? Yes/No KANIKA 2025.05.09 15:00 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment