CRM-M-15298-2026 (O&M) 1 226 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-15298-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision: 06.07.2026 RITU ... PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ... RESPONDENT CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.S.GREWAL Present:- Mr. S.S.Tiwana, Advocate for the petitioner. H.S. GREWAL, J. (ORAL) 1. The petitioner is seeking regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (439 Cr.P.C.) in FIR No.26 dated 15.1.2025 under Sections 420 of IPC, 1860 (Sections 467, 468, 471, 294/506 of IPC, 1860 and Section 24 of Immigration Act were added later on) [318 (4), 338, 336, 340 (2), 351 (2)/(3) of BNS, 2023], registered at Police Station Zirakpur, District SAS Nagar Mohali. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the FIR was got registered by complainant Paramjit Kaur, who submitted that she is running business of Education and VISA consultancy at Chandigarh. In year 2016, she came in Contact with Vivek Shekhawat (husband of the petitioner), who was into the business of ticketing and VISA and he met the complainant and requested to work with her many times and assured the complainant that he would help her to get VISA in less time for her clients. Complainant reposed faith upon him and started working with him in April 2023. Thereafter, complainant transferred an amount of 1 crore and 10 Lakh in his bank account. The role JANKI BHATT 2026.07.07 17:06 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document High Court Chandigarh CRM-M-15298-2026 (O&M) 2 of the petitioner is that she has received Rs. 24 lakhs in cash from the victims on different dates. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the petitioner is in custody for the last 06 months and 24 days. He, thus, prays for grant of bail to the petitioner. 4. Notice of motion. 5. Mr. Subhash Godara, Addl. A.G., Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the State and Mr. Sandeep K. Tada, Advocate accepts notice on behalf of the complainant and have vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of regular bail to the petitioner on the ground of gravity of allegations. Learned State counsel has filed the custody certificate in Court, which is taken on record. He further submits that as per the custody certificate, the petitioner is in custody for the last 06 months and 24 days. 6. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. 7. After hearing the rival contentions of the learned counsel for the parties and keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case that the petitioner being a female, is in custody for the last 06 months and 24 days; challan has been presented; trial is yet to commence and continuous detention of the petitioner would not serve the ends of justice, this Court deems it fit to grant the concession of regular bail to the petitioner during the pendency of the trial. Moreover, ‘bail is rule and jail is exception’. 8. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the instant petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on her furnishing requisite bail bonds, surety bonds to the JANKI BHATT 2026.07.07 17:06 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document High Court Chandigarh CRM-M-15298-2026 (O&M) 3 satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate/Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned. 10. Nothing discussed hereinabove shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 11. It is clarified that while on bail so granted through the instant order the petitioner is found indulging in any other criminal case, it shall be open to the State to seek cancellation of her bail. 12. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. (H.S.GREWAL) 06.07.2026 JUDGE Janki Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No JANKI BHATT 2026.07.07 17:06 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document High Court Chandigarh