106 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-47241-2025 Date of decision: 27.08.2025 SUKHDEV SINGH ...Petitioner VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE YASHVIR SINGH RATHOR Present: Mr. Gurmeet Singh Saini, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Gorav Kathuria, DAG, Punjab. ***** YASHVIR SINGH RATHOR , J. (Oral) Prayer in this petition under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR No.255 dated 10.07.2025 registered at Police Station City Ferozepur District Ferozepur, under Sections 318, 308(5), 351(3), 61(2) of BNS, 2023 and Sections 67, 66(c), 66 (D) of Information Technology Act, 2000. 2. The present case was registered on the basis of complaint given to the police by Sham Sunder Monga with the allegation that he is a practicing Advocate at District Courts, Ferozepur since the year 1995. One Sukhdev Singh, who was known to him had carved out a colony at Moga Road, Ferozepur. On 12.04.2024, he had borrowed Rs.8 lakhs from him for six and a half months, which was paid by him to said Sukhdev Singh through his bank account and in lieu thereof, Sukhdev Singh had given a cheque of Rs.8 lakhs vide writing dated 25.10.2024. However, Priyanka Thakur 2025.08.29 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document the cheque was dishonored and he had filed a complaint under section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act against him in the Court at Ferozepur, in which he was summoned to face the trial but he did not appear in Court, despite, arrest warrants having been issued against him. Thereafter, he was declared a proclaimed person. Thereafter, Sukhdev Singh with an intention to cheat him, told him that the colony carved out by him has been approved by PUDA and thereafter, his mother purchased a plot measuring 1 Kanal 6 Marlas 04 Sarsai from Sukhdev Singh in the said colony vide sale deed dated 04.09.2024 and several of other persons also purchased the plots. However, Sukhdev Singh after committing fraud ran away from Ferozepur in September 2024 and he joined the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar etc. In the first week of April 2025, said Sukhdev Singh along with 4-5 unidentified persons, who claimed themselves to be members of the aforesaid gangs stopped him and his son Manak Monga and threatened them to withdraw the complaint under Section 138 of NI Act and to return the sale deed of the plot executed in favour of his mother. Thereafter, they demanded Rs.10 lac as ransom, failing which he will be killed along with his family members. On 14.05.2025, he received a missed whatsApp call on his mobile from mobile no.+64223698405. Thereafter, he again received a call at 2:53 PM and 2:57 PM, in which the caller introduced himself as Goldy Brar and at 3:06 PM, he sent a voice message and asked him to return the plot to Sukhdev Singh, failing which he shall be killed along with his son and mother. He further alleged that he recorded the call in Priyanka Thakur 2025.08.29 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document another mobile phone of his son. On the same day, his son also received many missed calls from the same number and thereafter, caller dropped a message to call him, who claimed to be Goldy Brar. On 16.05.2025 also, he as well as his son received many calls but they did not answer. He alleged that said Sukhdev Singh in connivance with the gangsters can cause bodily harm to him and his family members and he sought action against him. Apprehending arrest, petitioner applied for anticipatory bail, which has been rejected by the trial Court. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and he has no concern with any gangster. Petitioner had infact carved out a colony for which he needed funds and complainant had financed his business by providing financial aid. Complainant has also advanced sum of Rs.8 lac to him but had obtained blank signed cheque as a security. He has earlier returned a sum of Rs.4 lakhs to the complainant through cheque and remaining amount of Rs.4 lakhs was returned in cash but complainant had not returned the cheque. The business of development of colony went in loss and due to this reason, complainant turned dishonest as they were jointly carving out the colony and he has misused the blank cheque and has also got registered the present FIR with false allegations. Petitioner is ready to join the investigation and to abide by the conditions that may be imposed by the Court. Nothing is to be recovered from his possession and benefit of anticipatory bail be extended in his favour. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel has opposed the Priyanka Thakur 2025.08.29 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document bail and argued that petitioner has committed a heinous offence and his custodial interrogation is essential for further investigation of the case and to find out the involvement of other persons. Learned State counsel prayed that the anticipatory bail application of the petitioner be dismissed. 5 The allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. He issued a cheque in favour of complainant, which has been dishonored and he has been summoned to face trial in a complaint under Section 138 of N.I. Act. Now, he is extending threats to the complainant through gangsters and compelling him to withdraw the complaint, return the sale deed and to pay ransom of Rs.10 Lac. Such type of offences are increasing day by day and have to be dealt with a deterrent hand. 6. Keeping in view the overall facts and circumstances of the present case, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is essential for proper investigation of the case. In my considered opinion, petitioner is not likely to answer the questions in the right earnest, in case, he interrogated under the protective umbrella of the order of ad-interim bail passed by this Court. Resultantly, the present petition is hereby dismissed. 7. Pending misc. application (s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. (YASHVIR SINGH RATHOR) 27.08.2025 JUDGE Priyanka Thakur Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes No Whether Reportable : Yes No Priyanka Thakur 2025.08.29 18:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document