CRM-M-24943-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 219 CRM-M-24943-2026 Decided on: 22.07.2026 Manpreet Singh …...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab …...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. G.S. Lakhyan, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjb. **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. 1. Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438 Cr.P.C.), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners, who have been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed hereunder:- Name & age of Petitioner (s) FIR No. Date Section(s) Police Station District Manpreet Singh, aged about 42 years 157 18.04.2026 109, 115(2), 3(5) of BNS (correspondig Sections 307, 323 and 34 IPC) Kharar SAS Nagar 2. On 04.05.2026, following order was passed:- “1. Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438 Cr.P.C.), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners, who have been RASHMI 2026.07.23 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-24943-2026 2 booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed hereunder:- Name & age of Petitioner (s) FIR No. Date Section(s ) Police Station District Manpreet Singh, aged about 42 years 157 18.04.2026 109, 115(2), 3(5) of BNS (corresp ondig Sections 307, 323 and 34 IPC) Kharar SAS Nagar 2. FIR in question had been registered on the statement of Jarnail Singh. The very pith of the same being that initially, complainant had recorded his statement on 15.04.2026 and thereafter, he got a supplementary statement recorded. It was clarified in the same that Manpreet Singh (petitioner herein) and Mandeep Singh were armed with swords. When the complainant and his brother-Amarjit Singh, came close to Nagar Khera, accused Manpreet Singh gave a sword blow upon the neck of Amarjit Singh with the intention to kill him. Amarjit Singh ducked to evade the blow and the sword grazed him. Mandeep Singh gave a sword blow upon the complainant and he also ducked and the blade of the sword grazed his cheek. Thereafter, complainant and his brother started bleeding profusely. Subsequently, both the accused came in front of the house of complainant. Mandeep Singh was armed with sword and gave another blow upon the head of the complainant and then, complainant raised his right hand so as to thwart the blow and the thumb of the right hand of the complainant was sliced away. Complainant and his brother were attacked by both the accused persons, with the intention to kill them 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that reliance is placed upon the video recording of the RASHMI 2026.07.23 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-24943-2026 3 occurrence, which purportedly demonstrates that the principal injuries were inflicted by co-accused Mandeep Singh (brother of the petitioner), whereas petitioner- Manpreet Singh reached the place of occurrence belatedly. It is further contended that incident in question allegedly took place on 14.04.2026, and as per the admitted position in the FIR, complainant’s initial statement was recorded on 15.04.2026, wherein petitioner was neither named as an accused, nor attributed any role in causing injuries. However, it is only on 18.04.2026, i.e. after a delay of four days from the alleged occurrence, that complainant allegedly improved his version and included the name of the petitioner along with co-accused Mandeep Singh, attributing to them the use of swords and causing injuries, including on the hand of the complainant. 4. It is further submitted that while dismissing the anticipatory bail petition, learned Court below, vide order dated 28.04.2026, observed that as per the medico-legal report (MLR), injured Jarnail Singh and his brother Amarjit Singh had suffered multiple injuries, including traumatic amputation of the distal segment of the right thumb of Jarnail Singh. The Court also noticed, on the basis of video footage, that the accused had unleashed a brutal assault and carried out a violent attack upon the complainant party. Specific allegations were also recorded against the petitioner regarding infliction of a sword blow upon Amarjit Singh. 5. It is further submitted that although, co-accused Mandeep Singh has already been arrested, but petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation and fully cooperate with the investigating agency, if protected from arrest by this Court. It is also contended that petitioner’s presence is not discernible in the CCTV footage of the place of occurrence. Thus, counsel prays for grant of RASHMI 2026.07.23 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-24943-2026 4 concession of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the present case. 6. Notice of motion. 7. On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab, puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent – State, and seeks some time to file status report in the matter. 8. Adjourned to 22.07.2026. 9. Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation as and when required to do so by the Investigating Agency. In the event of his arrest, the petitioner shall be released on ad-interim bail, subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by all the conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.). 10. Besides, it is directed that petitioner would hand over his passport to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if he possesses. Otherwise, would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that he does not possess any passport. It is also directed that before leaving country any time during trial, petitioner would seek prior permission of the Court. ” 3. Continuing his submissions, learned counsel for the petitioners contends that, in compliance with the order dated 04.05.2026 passed by this Court, petitioner has joined the investigation and has extended full cooperation. He, therefore, prays for confirmation of the interim anticipatory bail order. 4. Learned State counsel has filed status report by way of an affidavit of Ishan Singla, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub Division, Kharar-1, District SAS Nagar, in Court today. Same is taken on RASHMI 2026.07.23 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-24943-2026 5 record. Registry is directed to tag the same at appropriate place with the paper-book. Learned State counsel, on instructions, submits that in pursuance of the directions issued by this Court, petitioner has joined the investigation; however, he has not fully cooperated, as the sword with which the petitioner allegedly inflicted a blow on the neck of the injured has not been recovered. 5. Countering the aforesaid submission, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, as per the CCTV footage, there is nothing on record to attribute the injury caused to the victim with a sword to the petitioner. Rather, as per the admitted version, petitioner had reached the spot of the occurrence subsequently. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the paper-book. 7. Since, petitioner has already joined the investigation, ad- interim bail order dated 04.05.2026, passed by this Court is hereby made absolute. Accordingly, present petition is allowed. However, petitioner shall continue to join the investigation as and when required to do so and abide by all the terms and conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023. This order shall be subject to the submission of his passport, if any, to the Investigating Agency or the Court concerned within a period of one week from today. In case he does not possess any passport, he shall submit an affidavit disclosing the said fact. RASHMI 2026.07.23 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-24943-2026 6 It is clarified that in case, aforesaid condition is not complied with, this order would be considered as non est automatically. 8. Accordingly, petition stands disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 22.07.2026 Rashmi Whether Speaking/Reasoned: YES/NO Whether Reportable: YES/NO RASHMI 2026.07.23 10:14 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document