CRM-M-30503-2025 - 1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 206 CRM-M-30503-2025 Date of decision: 26.08.2025 RAHIT SOOD ....Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE YASHVIR SINGH RATHOR Present : Mr.Lupil Gupta, Advocate, Mr. Apurav, Advocate and Mr. Sandeep, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Rahul Jindal, AAG, Punjab. Mr. H.S. Baath, Advocate for the complainant. YASHVIR SINGH RATHOR. J.(Oral) 1. Prayer in this petition under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR No.64, dated 08.05.2025, under Sections 306, 331(3), 305, 61(2) of BNS, 2023, registered at Police Station City Patti, District Tarn Taran (Annexure P-1). 2. The present case was registered on the basis of a statement given to Police by Raminder Singh with the allegations that he runs a shop by the name of Guru Nanak TV Centre (Kotli Wale) situated at Main Bazar Patti, where he has employed Neeraj Sharma, Rahul, Balraj Singh and Akash Singh as his employees. On 15.01.2025, his father was ill and he took him to Gurugram for treatment and he along with his brother stayed there, but he used to visit his shop in between. His father died on 05.03.2025 at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram and he was cremated at Village Patti. On 04.05.2025, he came to his shop and found that many items in the shop were missing, which included 22 air conditioners, 15 LEDs, 10 batteries + AMANDEEP GOSAIN 2025.08.27 19:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment CRM-M-30503-2025 - 2- inverter set, 08 refrigerators, 10 washing machines, 04 juicers, geyser, 04 water filter RO’s and he suspected that Neeraj Sharma, Rahul, Balraj Singh and Akash Singh have committed the theft in connivance with Rahit Sood (petitioner herein). 3. During investigation, accused-Neeraj Sharma was arrested and he suffered a disclosure statement to the effect that he along with Rahul, Balraj Singh and Akash Singh were working at the said shop and they in connivance with Rahit Sood have committed the theft and same have been sold at a lesser rate to Gursewak Singh, Pawandeep Singh and Tek Chand, residents of Patti and some of the articles have been sold by them to unknown persons. Accused-Neeraj Sharma got recovered one air conditioner and one washing machine from his house. 4. During further investigation, one juvenile “x” was apprehended on 16.05.2025 in the present case. Thereafter one Gursewak Singh was arrested on 18.05.2025 and he got recovered one washing machine, one Toshiba LED 32 Inch and Investor & battery. Apprehending his arrest, petitioner approached the trial Court for grant of anticipatory bail, which has been rejected. 5. Thereafter the petitioner instituted the present bail application and vide order dated 07.07.2025, petitioner was directed to join the investigation and it was ordered that he be not arrested till the next date of hearing. 6. Today, additional affidavit dated 25.08.2025 of Lovkesh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub-Division patti, District Tarn Taran has been filed on behalf of respondent-State. The same is taken on record. 7. I have heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned State counsel and have gone through the record. 8. Learned counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioner has been falsely implicated on the basis of suspicion and he has no concern with the theft AMANDEEP GOSAIN 2025.08.27 19:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment CRM-M-30503-2025 - 3- committed by the complainant’s employees in the shop. Infact, his shop is situated opposite to the shop of complainant and due to professional rivalry, petitioner has been falsely implicated. Infact, there was a dispute of salary between complainant and his employees, while he was away to Gurugram for the treatment of his father and complainant named all his employees as well as the present petitioner in the FIR. He further argued that petitioner has already joined the investigation and nothing is to be recovered from his possession and benefit of anticipatory bail be extended in his favour. 9. On the other hand, learned State Counsel has opposed the prayer of the petitioner and argued that petitioner has been nominated as an accused by the co-accused, who were working at the shop of the complainant and during investigation, petitioner has got recovered one Voltas air conditioner. He further argued that many other articles are still to be recovered and petitioner is not cooperating with the investigation and custodial interrogation of the petitioner is essential. Thus, petitioner does not deserve the concession of anticipatory bail. 10. The allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. While complainant was away to Gurugram for the treatment of his father, a lot of articles have been stolen from the shop and disposed of by his employees, allegedly in connivance with the petitioner. Co-accused of the petitioner have got recovered some articles and petitioner has also got recovered one air conditioner. It is not his case that he had purchased the same against payment. As per version of Investigating Officer, a lot of articles are still to be recovered and in this situation, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is essential for recovery of the stolen articles. In case, petitioner is interrogated under the protective umberella of the AMANDEEP GOSAIN 2025.08.27 19:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment CRM-M-30503-2025 - 4- order of ad interim bail passed by this Court, he is not likely to answer the questions in the right earnest. 11. In view of the aforesaid discussion, petitioner does not deserve the concession of anticipatory bail and accordingly, bail application is hereby dismissed. (YASHVIR SINGH RATHOR) 26.08.2025 JUDGE amandeep Whether speaking/reasoned. : Yes/No Whether Reportable. : Yes/No AMANDEEP GOSAIN 2025.08.27 19:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment