212 CRM-M-13797-2025 -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-13797-2025 Date of decision: 26.05.2025 RANJIT SINGH ….Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR. ....Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV BERRY Present:- Mr. Ashok Bhardwaj, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. K.D. Sachdeva, DAG Punjab. ..… SANJIV BERRY, J. (ORAL) By way of present petition filed under Section 482 BNSS, 2023, the petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case FIR (Annexure P-1) as under: - FIR No. Dated Sections Police Station 74 01.05.2024 420 IPC Bhawanigarh, District Sangrur. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance to the order dated 02.04.2025, the petitioner has joined the investigation. 3. During the course of hearing on 02.04.2025, following order had been passed: - “ Status report dated 26.03.2025 filed in the form of an affidavit of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub-Division, Bhawanigarh, District Sangrur is taken on record. Copy Puneet Sharma 2025.06.02 17:05 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment 212 CRM-M-13797-2025 -2- thereof has been supplied to learned counsel for the petitioner. Heard. Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia contends that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He contends that the matter in dispute is purely civil in nature and the complainant, in connivance with the police, had got registered the instant FIR, just to harass the petitioner without any basis. He further contends that the dispute pertains to an agreement to sell qua which civil remedy was available to the complainant. He submits that the petitioner is ready to join the investigation, thus prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Per contra, learned State counsel has opposed the petition and submitted that the petitioner has defrauded the complainant in getting the property mortgaged during the subsistence of agreement to sell. He, however, requires the presence of the Investigating Officer of the case for taking instructions in the matter. List on 13.05.2025. In the meanwhile, without commenting on the merits of the case, it is deemed appropriate that the petitioner should join the investigation first, before deciding the petition on merits. Accordingly, 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. The Investigating Officer of the case is directed to remain present in Court on the next date of hearing along with record” 4. Learned State counsel on instructions received from ASI Mehar Singh informs the Court that the petitioner has joined the investigation and is neither required for further investigation nor for any custodial interrogation. Puneet Sharma 2025.06.02 17:05 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment 212 CRM-M-13797-2025 -3- 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 02.04.2025 passed by this Court, interim bail granted vide order dated 02.04.2025 is hereby confirmed, subject to conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of BNSS. 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 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. (SANJIV BERRY) 26.05.2025 JUDGE puneet i) Whether speaking/reasoned? Yes/No ii) Whether reportable? Yes/No Puneet Sharma 2025.06.02 17:05 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment