CRM-M-40631-2025 -1- 223 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-40631-2025 Date of Decision:-20.08.2025 Manish Kumar ...Petitioner Vs. State of Punjab and Ors. ...Respondents CORAM:-HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE AMARJOT BHATTI Present:- Mr. Govind Arora, Advocate for Mr. Lovepreet Singh, Advocate for petitioner. Ms. Manjot Kaur, AAG, Punjab. Mr. Harsh Bargat, Advocate for respondent No.2. Mr. Kartar Singh, Advocate for respondent No.3. **** AMARJOT BHATTI, J. 1. Petitioner – Manish Kumar has filed petition under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail in FIR No.54 dated 02.04.2025, under Section 137(2), 87 of BNS 2023, registered at Police Station Division No.2, District Pathankot (Annexure P-1). 2. As per facts of case, complainant ‘K’ gave her statement to the police that her daughter ‘S’ i.e. victim was born on 11.05.2007. She was studying at Shaheed Makhan Singh School, Pathankot in 12th class. On SUNIL DEVI 2025.08.21 17:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-40631-2025 -2- 19.03.2025, she had gone out for some work and her son Rohit Kumar was also not present in the house. Her younger daughter had gone to school for her examination. The victim was alone in the house and when she reached home at 2:00 PM, she found that the victim was missing from the house. They tried to locate her but could not find her. She further noticed that the victim had taken away cash of Rs.25,000/- lying in almirah. The complainant suspected Manish Kumar for enticing away her daughter on the pretext of marriage. With these allegations, present FIR has been registered. 3. Learned counsel for petitioner conceded that at the time of alleged occurrence, the victim was 17 years and 11 months old. On her attaining majority, they performed marriage on 06.05.2025. The marriage certificate is Annexure P-2. Present petitioner along with the victim filed protection petition bearing CRWP No.3343-2025 which was decided on 19.05.2025 (Annexure P-3). On arrest of present petitioner, alleged victim was handed over to her father-in-law. Now the matter has been compromised. The affidavits of complainant ‘K’ and victim ‘S’ are Annexure P-4 and P-5 respectively. Petitioner is ready to abide by the terms of bail order. It is prayed that his regular bail petition may be allowed. 4. Detailed status report has been filed. It is pointed out that the statement of victim was recorded under Section 183 of BNSS on 14.07.2025. On attaining majority, she performed marriage with petitioner and now she is residing in her in-laws house. Learned counsel representing SUNIL DEVI 2025.08.21 17:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-40631-2025 -3- State pointed out that on completion of investigation, challan will be presented in the court. 5. I have considered the aforesaid factual position. Petitioner was arrested and sent to judicial custody. He got married with the alleged victim on her attaining majority. This fact is also confirmed in the status report. At present, the alleged victim is residing in the matrimonial home. Learned counsel representing respondent No.3 has no objection for granting bail to the petitioner. Till date even challan has not been presented. Considering the aforesaid factual position, without going on the merits of the case, regular bail petition filed by petitioner – Manish Kumar is allowed. He is ordered to be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of trial Court/Duty Judge concerned. 6. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stand disposed of accordingly as well. 20.08.2025 (AMARJOT BHATTI) Sunil Devi JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No SUNIL DEVI 2025.08.21 17:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document