CRM-M-25779-2026 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 239 CRM-M-25779-2026 (O&M) Date of decision : 15.07.2026 Kanchan Kanchi Reddy ...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA Present:- Mr. Dhiraj Jindal, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Sakshi Bakshi, AAG, Punjab. MANISHA BATRA, J. (Oral) 1. The present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking the concession of regular bail to the petitioner in FIR No.59 dated 07.03.2026, registered under Sections 316(5), 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 at Police Station Sadar Dhuri, District Sangrur. 2. Brief facts of the case relevant for the purpose of disposal of this petition are that the aforementioned FIR was registered on the basis of the statement recorded by complainant Polawarapu Chaitanya, who was working as Assistant General Manager (Punjab) in Sri Chaitanya Techno School. As per the complainant, Sri Chaitanya Techno School operates about 1120 schools across the country, including 18 schools in the State of Punjab. One such school is situated at Daulatpur Road, Village Baradwal, Dhuri, having approximately 2224 students. It was alleged that the petitioner-Kanchan MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.16 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25779-2026 (O&M) -2- Kanchi Reddy was working as an Accountant, whereas co-accused Malle Ravindra was working as Zonal Accountant. Both of them were residing in the staff quarters situated within the school campus. It was further alleged that during the period from 19.02.2026 to 23.02.2026, a total sum of Rs.25,35,537/- was collected towards students' fees. On 23.02.2026, at about 2:30 PM, the petitioner left the school premises for depositing the aforesaid amount in Axis Bank, Dhuri. However, he neither deposited the amount nor returned to the school thereafter. It is further alleged that after a few days, the co-accused also absconded from the school campus and both switched off their mobile phones. According to the complainant, during an internal inquiry and audit, it surfaced that both the accused, in furtherance of their common intention and criminal conspiracy, manipulated and tampered with the school records and misappropriated the aforesaid amount of Rs.25,35,537/-. The complainant further stated that the audit was still in progress and reserved his right to make a supplementary statement in case any variation in the amount was detected. On the basis of the aforesaid allegations, the present FIR came to be registered against the petitioner and his co-accused. After registration of the FIR, investigation proceedings were initiated. The petitioner and above named co- accused were arrested on 09.03.2026. During interrogation, the petitioner suffered disclosure statement admitting his involvement in the subject crime and disclosed that he and the co-accused had received the fee amount from the parents of the students and, instead of depositing the same in the school account maintained with Axis Bank, dishonestly misappropriated the amount, deposited part thereof into their personal bank accounts, spent a portion on MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.16 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25779-2026 (O&M) -3- personal expenses and utilized the remaining amount. After completion of necessary investigation and usual formalities, challan was presented in the Court and presently, the petitioner along with the co-accused is facing trial for commission of aforementioned offence. 3. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been falsely implicated in the present case. Even a bare reading of the FIR does not disclose the commission of the offences alleged against him. The prosecution story is inherently improbable inasmuch as the school collects students' fees through online mode and no cash collection is made. The FIR has been registered solely on the statement of the Assistant General Manager (Punjab) of Sri Chaitanya Techno School and there is no independent material corroborating the allegations levelled against the petitioner. It is also argued that nothing has been recovered from the possession of the petitioner and there is no material establishing any connection between the petitioner and the co- accused except the bald allegations contained in the FIR. Even otherwise, investigation has since been completed and challan has been filed. Conclusion of trial would take considerable time. The petitioner has been in custody since 09.03.2026. No useful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody anymore. He has clean antecedents. It is, thus, urged that the petition deserves to be allowed. 4. Status report and the custody certificate have been filed by the respondent-State. Learned State counsel, on the strength of the same, has argued there are serious and specific allegations against the petitioner. He was specifically employed as an Accountant in Sri Chaitanya Techno School, MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.16 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25779-2026 (O&M) -4- whereas the co-accused was posted as Zonal Accountant and both of them were entrusted with the responsibility of handling and depositing the school fee collected from students. They have misappropriated a huge amount of money related to the institution. Trial has commenced and is going on at a proper pace. Hence, it is urged that the petition deserves dismissal. 5. This Court has heard the rival submissions. 6. The petitioner along with co-accused is alleged to have misappropriated an amount of Rs.25,35,537/- collected towards students' fees of Sri Chaitanya Techno School instead of depositing the same in the designated bank account. Admittedly, the petitioner has remained in custody since 09.03.2026. Investigation in the present case stands concluded and challan has already been presented before the Court. Conclusion of trial would obviously take considerable time. Thus, the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is no longer required. It is also significant to note that no recovery has been effected from the petitioner. He has clean antecedents. Nothing has been brought on record to suggest that, if released on bail, the petitioner is likely to abscond, tamper with the prosecution evidence or influence the witnesses. Keeping in view the aforementioned facts and circumstances, this Court is of the considered opinion that no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody anymore. Accordingly, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to his furnishing personal/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned. However, it will be open for the prosecution to apply for cancellation of bail in case the petitioner is found involved in any other MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.16 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-25779-2026 (O&M) -5- subsequent case. 7. It is made clear that any observation made herein above is only for the purpose of deciding the present petition and the same shall have no bearing on the merits of the case. 15.07.2026 (MANISHA BATRA) Waseem R. Ansari Waseem R. Ansari Waseem R. Ansari Waseem R. Ansari JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No MOHAMMAD WASEEM ANSARI 2026.07.16 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document