1 CRM-M-34898-2026 (O&M) THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-34898-2026 (O&M) Reserved on: 16.07.2026 Pronounced on: 20.07.2026 Uploaded on: 20.07.2026 VIMLESH KUMAR PAL …Petitioner Versus STATE OF U.T. CHANDIGARH …Respondent Coram: Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Shalini Singh Nagpal Argued by: Mr. Ashish Bakshi, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Sukhbeer Singh, DAG Punjab. Mr. Sherry K. Singla, Advocate for the complainant. *** SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL J. 1. Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case arising out of FIR No. 136 dated 16.05.2026 under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 Indian Penal Code, Police Station Division No. 5, District Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana. This is the first petition for anticipatory bail. 2. Complainant-ICICI Bank reported to the police that Vimlesh Kumar Pal availed home loan for ₹8,50,000/- on 25.05.2022 from the bank. He later availed top up loan of ₹3,65,000/- on 26.05.2022 and another mortgage insurance loan for ₹66,162/- on 20.06.2022. The bank learnt through its Insurance partner that the borrower had submitted a death claim for the co-applicant i.e. his wife Mrs. Urmila, fraudulently representing that she passed away on 17.12.2023. During verification, it was found that Mrs. Urmila co-applicant of loan had already passed away on 12.03.2019, more AJAY GOSWAMI 2026.07.20 17:30 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 2 CRM-M-34898-2026 (O&M) than 03 years before the loans were availed. The loan documents contained forged signatures of deceased and the customer concealed the death of his wife to avail the loan facility. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in 2022 petitioner met one Arab Chaudhary who represented that he was a loan agent and could help him avail a sum of ₹3,00,000/- under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna on his loan account and also get the EMI of his loan reduced. For that purpose, he obtained signatures of the petitioner on blank and typed papers and also took photographs of the petitioner and his wife. Petitioner being illiterate and naive, believed him and got involved in the case. He never forged the signatures of his dead wife on any document. He could not read and write English and had merely given the signed documents to Arab Chaudhary. He had even joined enquiry before registration of the FIR and was still ready and willing to facilitate investigation. 4. Learned State counsel has filed status report by way of affidavit of Sarabjeet Singh, PPS, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Civil Lines, Ludhiana. Same is taken on record. He, assisted by learned counsel for the complainant opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail arguing that petitioner being the principal borrower, played an active and central role in procuring loans from the complainant bank by fraudulently projecting his dead wife as co-applicant. He not only furnished his photographs but also Aadhar Card, Pan Card, concealing the factum of death of his wife. On the basis of forged and fabricated documents, he induced the bank to disburse the loan. Later, he filed a mortgage insurance claim, on the basis of death of his wife, who had died long back. Investigation of the case was in progress and custodial interrogation of the petitioner was required to ascertain the modus operandi AJAY GOSWAMI 2026.07.20 17:30 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 3 CRM-M-34898-2026 (O&M) adopted, to unearth the involvement of any bank official to effect recoveries of incriminating material. Petitioner was, thus, not entitled to grant of anticipatory bail. 5. The benefit of anticipatory bail cannot be granted as a matter of course or routine. While considering the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail, the Court is required to balance the right of the prosecution for free, fair and unhindered investigation as also personal liberty of the accused and interest of the society. Role attributed to the accused is required to be considered with great care and caution. Anticipatory bail being an extra-ordinary remedy is to be granted only in exceptional circumstances, where the Court is prima facie of the view that the accused has been falsely involved in the crime. 6. Allegations against the petitioner, who availed three loans from the complainant-bank with his dead wife as co-applicant, are serious, specific and grave. Investigation of the case is at crucial stage and custodial interrogation of petitioner is necessary for effecting recovery of the records and to ascertain the persons involved. Grant of anticipatory bail would seriously prejudice the course of investigation and the statutory investigational powers of the police. The petition for anticipatory bail is, accordingly, dismissed. 7. Pending CRM(s), if any, are also disposed of accordingly. (SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL) JUDGE 20.07.2026 Ajay Goswami Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No AJAY GOSWAMI 2026.07.20 17:30 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document