IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 218 CRM-M-15603-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision: 22.07.2026 Tahir Khan …Petitioner V/s State of Haryana …Respondent CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKRAM AGGARWAL Present: Mr. Abhishek Walia, Advocate, for the petitioner. Ms. Vasundhara Dalal Anand, Sr. DAG, Haryana. *** VIKRAM AGGARWAL, J (ORAL) Prayer in the present petition preferred under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short the “BNSS”) is for the grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.254, dated 04.07.2025 registered under Sections 406 and 420 IPC (Sections 467, 468, 471 and 120B IPC and Sections 21 & 22 of BUDS Act, 2019 and Section 3 of HPID Act, 2013 added subsequently) at Police Station Nissing, District Karnal. 2. Custody certificate filed in Court today is taken on record. 3. On a complaint submitted by one Ajay Kumar, the FIR in question was registered, the contents of which are as under:- “It is respectfully submitted that I, Ajay Kumar, son of Sh. Pritam Singh, resident of Village Baras, Tehsil Nissing, District Karnal, state that we had submitted a complaint regarding fraud committed against us to the Superintendent of Police, Karnal on 19.12.2024, which was forwarded to Police Station Nissing for investigation. Despite repeatedly approaching the police, no action was taken by the Nissing Police. We visited the police station several times. After about 3 months, the Investigating Officer informed us that our application had been rejected. We had provided all evidence to the Investigating Officer, but no appropriate action was taken. Therefore, it is humbly requested that the attached complaint and evidence be taken into consideration and necessary legal action be initiated against VIKAS CHANDER 2026.07.22 16.52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-15603-2026 (O&M) -2- the accused persons so that fraud against us and other members of society can be prevented. Subject: Complaint against the following persons: CMD Rais Khan s/o Ghulam Sakir, resident of Mandoli, Kalanaur, Yamunanagar (Mob: 9354115781) MD Seema Begum w/o Wahid Hasan, resident of House No. 678, Old Hamida, Yamunanagar, Haryana (Mob: 7206478600, 9306646009) Mayur Khan (son of Seema) Sameer Khan (nephew of Seema) (Mob: 9992980096) Jafri Begum (mother of Seema) Sonu (Mob: 7270949000) Tahir Khan (Mob: 9729056010) Regarding fraud committed in the name of Pride Nidhi Limited (PNL Bank), SCO No. 4-5-6, Ground Floor, Divine City, Kurukshetra, by falsely representing it as a bank, issuing fake FDs, showing forged documents, falsely claiming government schemes, and also extending threats to life. Sir, I submit that I am a law-abiding citizen: That I am a permanent resident of the above address and currently unemployed. That I, along with my friend Vinod Sharma (resident of Village Amoopur, District Karnal), visited Satish Sharma (resident of Village Sambhli, District Karnal), whom we know for about 10 years. Satish Sharma informed us that he had invested money in Pride Nidhi Limited (PNL Bank), which offers higher returns than other banks. Influenced by his words, we visited the Kurukshetra branch of the said company, where Satish introduced us to CMD Rais Khan, MD Seema Begum, Mayur Khan Sameer Khan, Jafri Begum, Sonu, and Tahir Khan. They told us that they had been running the bank for the last 11 years, had lakhs of customers, and showed us documents like license, PAN card, registration copies, etc., claiming that the bank operates as per RBI guidelines and more branches would soon be opened. That, being influenced by their representations, I deposited Rs.10,000 in cash on 27.06.2023 in Pride Nidhi Limited (PNL). Similarly, Vinod Sharma deposited Rs. 1.5 lakh on 27.07.2023. Thereafter, we informed our friends, relatives, and acquaintances about the said company. The accused also held several meetings at Aryan Hotel, Nissing and Mangal Sain Auditorium, Karnal, where many people attended and were influenced to invest. A large number of persons, including Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, Satish Jangra, Sonu Rana, Abhishek Handa, Sandeep Kumar, Raman Kumar, Bhupender Kumar, Lalit Sharma, Rahul Sharma, Rahul Vats, Surjeet Kumar, Rajeev Kaushik, Suresh Jangra, Krishan Pal Rana, Balbir Pal Rana, Jagdish Chauhan, Anil Kumar, Goldy Handa, Dashrath Kumar, Ashok Rana, Gagan Milgani, Johnny Rana, Amit Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Sonu Goyal, Rishi Rana, Jagtar Kamboj, Kamaljeet and others deposited money through cheque, Google Pay, PhonePe, RTGS, and cash, amounting to approximately Rs. 2 crores. That initially, the accused paid returns to gain trust but later stopped payments. On VIKAS CHANDER 2026.07.22 16.52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-15603-2026 (O&M) -3- inquiry, they made excuses such as audit issues and kept delaying. Even after repeated visits over 4 months, neither the promised returns nor the principal amount was paid back. That upon further inquiry, it was found that several fraud cases were already registered against the accused and news reports regarding the same had been published in newspapers (copies attached). They have cheated many people and misappropriated crores of rupees. That the accused are habitual offenders who have executed false agreements, taken signatures on blank papers and withdrawal forms, and now threaten to kill us and implicate us in false cases when we demand our money. That the accused issued RD, FD, and Sukanya scheme bonds, which have now been found to be fake (copies attached). That it has been found that the accused have multiple bank accounts, including Yes Bank (Account No. 017051100005154, Model Town, Yamunanagar) and ICICI Bank (Account No. 024701531509, Model Town, Yamunanagar), where the fraudulently obtained money is deposited. These accounts should be frozen. That it has been learned that CMD Rais Khan and MD Seema Begum are planning to flee abroad after collecting money. Hence, their passports should be seized and they should be prevented from leaving the country. That it has come to our knowledge that Seema Begum and Rais Khan themselves filed a complaint in Yamunanagar (No. 10932 dated 26.11.2024) against Narendra Ahlawat and others, admitting that they invested public money in forex trading at 10-15% monthly returns, which is not legally permitted in India. They collected around Rs. 15-20 crores from the public and transferred it to other companies, converted it into USDT (dollars), and sent it abroad. Out of this, more than Rs. 1.40 crores belongs to us (details attached). Therefore, it is requested that legal action be taken against the accused for cheating, issuing fake FDs, misrepresentation of bank and government schemes, and that our money be recovered. Protection of life and property is also requested.” 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated. He submits that the petitioner was in fact only a Peon in the bank and even after his arrest, no recovery has been made from him. He submits that the petitioner was arrested on 13.10.2025 and is in custody since then; 9 months and 8 days have elapsed; investigation has been completed; final report has been submitted on 16.12.2025; charges have yet not been framed and out of a total of 37 prosecution witnesses, none has been VIKAS CHANDER 2026.07.22 16.52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-15603-2026 (O&M) -4- examined as of now. He submits that under the circumstances, the trial will take a sufficiently long time and, therefore, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody any longer. 5. Per contra, learned counsel representing the State has opposed the bail petition stating that in case the petitioner is released on bail, he may abscond. 6. I have considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties. 7. Concededly, the petitioner is in custody for the last 9 months and 8 days. Investigation has been completed. Final report has been submitted on 16.12.2025 but till today even charges have not been framed. There are a total of 37 prosecution witnesses and none of them has been examined as of now. The trial will, therefore, take a sufficiently long time to conclude and no useful purpose would be served by keeping the petitioner in custody any longer. 8. In view of the aforementioned facts and circumstances, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/Duty Magistrate. (VIKRAM AGGARWAL) JUDGE July 22, 2026 vcgarg Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No VIKAS CHANDER 2026.07.22 16.52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document