CRM-M-20497-2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 216 CRM-M-20497-2026 Decided on : 06.07.2026 Joginder Pal Singh @ Gulabi . . . Petitioner(s) Versus State of Punjab . . . Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present : Ms. Riffi Birla, Advocate for the petitioner(s). Mr. Vinay Malhotra, DAG Punjab **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (Oral) 1. The instant petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 439 Cr.P.C.), for grant of regular bail to the petitioner, during the pendency of trial, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed hereunder:- Name of Petitioner(s) FIR No. Date Section(s) Police Station District Joginder Pal Singh @ Gulabi, aged 32 years 54 03.03.2026 308(2), 308(6), 351(2) of BNS (erstwhile Sections 384, 388, 506 IPC) Sadar Fazilka Fazilka 2. Allegations in the FIR, which was got registered by the complainant- Raman Kumar reads as under: “In brief, the allegations as mentioned in the FIR are that complainant Raman Kumar is working as Division Product Head at Shri Ram Finance Company, Bathinda. On 20/21.02.2026 at about 6/7:00 PM, a Whatsapp call from 97818- 32835 came on his mobile 78889-37802 who told her name as Reetu and thereafter he continued to talk to her about ten days and kept on chatting through REENA 2026.07.08 10:53 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CRM-M-20497-2026 Whatsapp, who sweetly took him in her love affair and forced him to meet through Whatsapp chat and video call and trapped him in her trap. After few days ago Reetu told him her name as Mandeep Kaur resident of Ladhuka and when he refused to meet her, then calls started coming through 90562-70246, who told his name as Joginderpal Singh @ Gulabi and started pressuring him to give money and also started threatening him by saying that he is talking with their daughter Reetu and they will get registered FIR against him and thought about committing suicide because Joginderpal Singh @ Gulabi and Reetu @ Mandeep Kaur had threatened him that if he disclosed anything to anyone, then they will kill him. Thereafter, complainant disclosed whole incident to his family and matter was negotiated and they called him near the rice mill on Malout Road to give money to them. On these allegations, present case was registered against accused.” 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that petitioner has been falsely involved in the present case. Moreover, all the offences are triable by the Court of learned Magistrate. Complainant-Raman Kumar was actually trapped or not, he himself was interested in developing the relations would be a moot question and adjudicated at the time of trial. As per allegation amount of Rs. 4 lacs was demanded by the accused from the complainant. As discussed in paragraph No. 7 of the impugned order dated 03.04.2026, an amount of Rs. 25,000/- and one cheque has already been recovered from the accused persons. As of now petitioner is inside jail since 03.03.2026 and any longer incarceration would not serve any meaningful purpose. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel while opposing the bail and submissions advanced on behalf of the petitioner, submits that considering the nature and gravity of the offence alleged against him, he is entitled to the concession of regular bail 5. In view of the aforementioned facts and circumstances of the case and REENA 2026.07.08 10:53 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CRM-M-20497-2026 the fact that offences are triable by the Court of learned Magistrate. Moreover, no accused can be kept behind bars for indefinite period, especially, when trial is likely to take longer/considerable period. Thus, this Court deems it appropriate to extend the concession of regular bail to the petitioner. Consequently, prayer made in the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail, subject to his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/ Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. 6. Needless to observe that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly. 7. The observation made here-in-above shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the facts of the case and the Trial Court is expected to decide the case on the basis of complete evidence available on record. 8. It is further made clear that if, in future, petitioner is directly found indulged in similar kind of activities, this order shall be deemed to be cancelled. 9. Petition stands disposed of. Pending misc. application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. July 06, 2026 (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE reena Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No REENA 2026.07.08 10:53 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh