104 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-29428-2026 DECIDED ON: 06.07.2026 ASI MANJINDER SINGH .....PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB .....RESPONDENT CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH. Present: Mr. Kamal Narula, Advocate, for the petitioner. SANJAY VASHISTH , J (ORAL) 1. Present petition has been filed by the petitioner, seeking grant of anticipatory bail, in case, FIR No.13 dated 30.04.2026, under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, registered at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, District Bathinda. 2. Brief facts of the case, as discussed in the order dated 12.05.2026 (Annexure P-3), passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bathinda, are reproduced here under, for reference:- “This case was registered on the basis of telephonic complaint made by Dushiant Bansal before the SHO of P.S. Vigilance Bureau, Bathinda, Range Bathinda, through his mobile number 88476-19149 on Punjab Government Anti Corruption Action Line No. 9501200200 against ASI Manjinder of CIA Staff-1, Bathinda etc. and the said complaint was registered vide No. 153433 dated 24-04-2026 and the said complaint was marked by Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Bureau, Range Bathinda to the office of Deputy Superintendent of Police of Vigilance Bureau, Bathinda who further marked the same to Insp. Naginder Singh of Vigilance Bureau for enquiry. During the enquiry proceedings, statement of Dushiant Bansal was recorded to the effect that he LAVISHA 2026.07.06 18:55 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-29428-2026 -2- was doing wholesale work of cosmetics/general store in the name of Bansal Traders at Aggarwal Street, near Des Raj School, Backside Sirki Bazaar, Bathinda and he is the proprietor of the said firm. His friend Rupesh Gupta son of Ratan Gupta is a partner in the said work. Rupesh Gupta keeps his firm's goods in his house. On 22.04.2026 at around 11:45 AM, he was present at the house of his friend Rupesh Gupta and Rupesh Gupta had gone out of the house. In the mean time, Manjinder Singh along with three associates brought Rupesh Gupta from outside and came to Rupesh Gupta's house. Where they took his phone and abused him. Manjinder Singh threatened him and Rupesh Gupta that a false case of selling counterfeit goods and selling drugs will be registered against him, if they wanted to avoid the case, then they should give Rs. 05 lakh to them. On this, he and Rupesh Gupta begged and pleaded, but, they remained adamant on demand of Rs. 2,25,000/-. On which they falsely promised to give one lakh rupees by the evening of 23.04.2026 and the rest by 24.04.2026. On which the said employee went back. Since CCTV cameras were not installed in Rupesh Gupta's house, so, the requisite footing was not available with him. Then on the same day at around 04 o'clock, Manjinder Singh made a WhatsApp call from mobile number 99880-29236, which was not attended by him. However, at around 05 o'clock, he called back and Manjinder Singh asked him to meet at Guru Teg Bahadur Road, near 100 Feet Road. However, at around 06 o'clock, he went to the said address and met Manjinder Singh where Manjinder Singh said that you will take care of it yourself, we will do it, nothing is wrong, which he recorded. After this, on 23.04.2026 at around 05 o'clock, he received two WhatsApp calls from mobile number 70876-00037, which he did not attend. However, after about 10-15 minutes, he made a back call, to which the next person asked him to come 100 feet road near Guru Teg Bahadar Road where said Manjinder Singh asked him to settled the matter at his own and he the complainant recorded the telephonic conversation. The on 23.04.2026, he again received Whatsapp call from mobile No. 70876-00037 twice and the person making the call, told that he was calling from CIA Staff and asked him to come on 100 feet road. On which he and his friend Shubham went to the said address, where he met two employees in a white colored Breza car bearing No. UP-16CM-0987 who were with Manjinder Singh on 22.04.2026. The said employees made him to sit alone in their vehicle LAVISHA 2026.07.06 18:55 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh CRM-M-29428-2026 -3- and demanded a bribe of Rs. 2.25 lakh from him and the talk was recorded by the complainant. At this time, one of the said employees who was wearing a blue T-shirt, jeans and cap, had also recorded audio of said conversation. For the purpose of conducting a further enquiry, letter nos. 576 dated 28.04.2026 and 586 dated 29.04.2026 were issued and on being contacted at his mobile no. 99880-29236 was found to be switched of. More efforts were made to join the applicant in the enquiry proceedings, but all in vain. Thus, it was concluded that the applicant/accused had illegally apprehended Rupesh Kumar, friend of complainant and demanded illegal gratification from them, thereby making out an offence U/s 7 of P.C. Act, 1988.” 3. Notice of motion. 4. On advance notice, Mr. Manjinder Singh Bhullar, learned Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, appears on behalf of the respondent- State and submits that there are extensive telephonic conversations between the petitioner and the complainant. 5. Considering the aforesaid material, particularly the long telephonic conversations between the petitioner and complainant, it appears that the purpose and context of such communication, as alleged by the complainant, require thorough investigation. Petitioner, who is posted as an ASI in the CIS Staff of Punjab Police, prima facie appears to require custodial interrogation to ascertain the truth of the allegations. 6. In these circumstances, no ground for grant of the discretionary relief of anticipatory bail is made out in favour of the petitioner in the present case. Accordingly, present petition is dismissed. (SANJAY VASHISTH) 06.07.2026 JUDGE Lavisha Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No LAVISHA 2026.07.06 18:55 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document PHHC, Chandigarh