CRM-M-24425-2026 AND OTHER CONNECTED CASE - 1 - IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 213 Decided on : 20.07.2026 1. CRM-M-24425-2026 Anil Kumar Rathaur . . . Petitioner(s) Versus State of Punjab and Anr. . . . Respondent(s) 2. CRM-M-29892-2026 Rajendra Saw @ Satinder Singh Kalia . . . Petitioner(s) Versus State of Punjab and Anr. . . . Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH. Present: Mr. Ketan Chopra, Advocate, for the petitioner(s) (in both cases). Mr. Vinay Malhotra, DAG, Punjab assisted by ASI Sunder Singh. Mr. J.S. Dhanoa, Advocate for respondent No.2 – complainant(s) (in both cases). **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J (ORAL) 1. This order shall dispose of CRM-M-24425-2026 and CRM- M-29892-2026, as all these petitions are interconnected and have arisen out of same FIR. However, the lead case is CRM-M-24425-2026. 2. While hearing all these petitions on 01.05.2026 and 22.05.2026, respectively, following orders were passed by this Court:- “CRM-M-24425-2026 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:- JAWALA RAM 2026.07.22 19:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CRM-M-24425-2026 AND OTHER CONNECTED CASE - 2 - Name & age of Petitioner (s) FIR No. Date Section(s) Police Station District Anil Kumar Rathaur, aged about 47 years 24 28.01.2026 305 of BNS (corresponding to section 380 of IPC) Division No.6 Ludhiana 2. Allegation against the petitioner is that he was employed with a company, namely Sui Dhaga Private Limited, where the complainant-Ranjit Singh, petitioner-Anil Kumar Rathaur, and co- accused-Satinder @ Kalia, were working. On 03.01.2026, owner of the company-Ajaypreet Singh, allegedly handed over an amount of Rs.2,00,000/- to the complainant in the presence of petitioner and the co-accused, for the purpose of procuring goods from the market. It is alleged that when the complainant stepped out of the room for a few minutes, petitioner and co-accused Satinder @ Kalia fled with the bag, containing the said amount. Thereafter, their mobile phones reportedly became unreachable, and they failed to return to the workplace. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the case is false and has been fabricated against the petitioner and his co- accused. It is contended that although the amount was allegedly handed over to the complainant by the company owner, but the owner himself has not reported the matter regarding the said amount. It is further argued that the alleged incident occurred on 03.01.2026, whereas the complaint leading to the registration of the FIR was made only on 28.01.2026, without any explanation for the delay. 4. Counsel further submits that FIR has been registered against the petitioner and his co-accused merely because they left the company against the wishes of its owner. It is also submitted that petitioner is ready to join the investigation and fully cooperate, if granted protection from arrest by this Court. Thus, prayer is made for grant of concession of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the present case. 5. On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab, puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent – State, and Mr. J.S. Dhanoa, Advocate, puts an appearance on behalf of respondent No.2/complainant. 6. Adjourned to 20.07.2026. 7. 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.). 8. 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. CRM-M-29892-2026 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:- JAWALA RAM 2026.07.22 19:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CRM-M-24425-2026 AND OTHER CONNECTED CASE - 3 - Name & age of Petitioner (s) FIR No. Date Section(s) Police Station District Rajendra Saw @ Satinder Singh Kalia, (42 years) 24 28.01.2026 305 of BNS (238 of BNS added later on) Division No.6 Ludhiana 2. Allegation against the petitioner is that he was employed with a company, namely Sui Dhaga Private Limited, where the complainant-Ranjit Singh, petitioner-Rajendra Saw @ Satinder Singh Kalia and co-accused Anil Kumar Rathaur, were working. On 03.01.2026, owner of the company-Ajaypreet Singh, allegedly handed over an amount of Rs.2,00,000/- to the complainant in the presence of petitioner and the co-accused, for the purpose of procuring goods from the market. It is alleged that when the complainant stepped out of the room for a few minutes, petitioner and co-accused Anil Kumar Rathaur fled with the bag, containing the said amount. Thereafter, their mobile phones reportedly became unreachable, and they failed to return to the workplace. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the case is false and has been fabricated against the petitioner and his co- accused. It is contended that although the amount was allegedly handed over to the complainant by the company owner, but the owner himself has not reported the matter regarding the said amount. It is further argued that the alleged incident occurred on 03.01.2026, whereas the complaint leading to the registration of the FIR was made only on 28.01.2026, without any explanation for the delay. 4. Counsel further submits that FIR has been registered against the petitioner and his co-accused merely because they left the company against the wishes of its owner. Co-accused Anil Kumar Rathaur has already been extended the benefit of interim anticipatory bail by this Court, vide order dated 01.05.2026 passed in CRM-M- 24425-2026 (Annexure P-4). It is also submitted that petitioner is ready to join the investigation and fully cooperate, if granted protection from arrest by this Court. Thus, prayer is made for grant of concession of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the present case. 5. On advance notice, Mr. Vinay Malhotra, DAG, Punjab, puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent – State, and Mr. J.S. Dhanoa, Advocate, puts an appearance on behalf of respondent No.2/complainant. 6. Adjourned to 20.07.2026. List along with CRM-M-24425-2026. 7. 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.). 8. 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.” JAWALA RAM 2026.07.22 19:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CRM-M-24425-2026 AND OTHER CONNECTED CASE - 4 - 3. Continuing submissions, learned counsel for the petitioners contends that in compliance of the orders dated 01.05.2026 and 22.05.2026, passed by this Court, petitioners have joined the investigation, and have fully co-operated. Therefore, they pray for confirmation of the said interim anticipatory bail orders. 4. Learned State counsel on instructions, confirms the said averments made by counsel for the petitioners of joining the investigation by the petitioners on 19.06.2026, and submits that as of now, custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not required for the purpose of investigation. 5. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 7. Since, petitioners have already joined the investigation and custodial interrogation is no more required; ad-interim bail orders dated 01.05.2026 and 22.05.2026, passed by this Court are hereby made absolute. However, petitioners shall continue to join the investigation as and when required to do so and abide by all the conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 6. Petitions stand disposed of accordingly. 7. However, present order would be subject to the submission of passport of the petitioners to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if they possesses, within a period of one week from today. Otherwise, they would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that they do not possess any passport. JAWALA RAM 2026.07.22 19:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CRM-M-24425-2026 AND OTHER CONNECTED CASE - 5 - It is clarified that in case, aforesaid condition is not complied with, this order would be considered as non est automatically. Pending misc. application(s), if any, also stand(s) disposed of. Photocopy of this order be placed on the files of other connected case. (SANJAY VASHISTH) July 20, 2026 JUDGE J.Ram Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No JAWALA RAM 2026.07.22 19:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document