CRM-M-37281-2026 and connected case - 1- 210/2 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 22.07.2026. (i) CRM-M-37281-2026 (O&M) Manpreet Singh alias Lali …Petitioner vs. State of Punjab …Respondent (ii) CRM-M-37297-2026 (O&M) Aslam Khan @ Maddi …Petitioner vs. State of Punjab …Respondent Coram : Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.S.Shekhawat Present : Mr. Mandeep Kumar Dhot, Advocate for the petitioner (in both petitions) Mr. Amit Rana, Sr. DAG, Punjab. Mr. Inder Pal Singh, Advocate for the complainant. *** N.S.Shekhawat J. (Oral) 1. This order shall dispose of above-said two petitions i.e. CRM-M- 37281-2026 titled as “Manpreet Singh alias Lali Vs. State of Punjab” and CRM-M-37297-2026 titled as “Aslam Khan @ Maddi Vs. State of Punjab”, whereby the petitioners have prayed for grant of anticipatory bail to them in case FIR No.096 dated 08.06.2026 registered under Section 137(2) and Section HEMLATA 2026.07.23 14:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-37281-2026 and connected case - 2- 96 (Deleted Later on) of BNS, 2023 {Corresponding Section 363 & 366 (Deleted Later on) of IPC 1860} at Police Station Sandaur, District Malerkotla; (Annexure P-1). 2. The FIR in the present case was registered on the basis of the statement made by Sarabjit Kaur and the same has been reproduced below:- “Statement of Sarabjit Kaur wife of Sukhwinder Singh resident of near Mosque village Sandaur, Malerkotla, Police Station Sandaur District Malerkotla, age approximately 43 years mobile number 90414-55723 which was received the content of whose statement is as follows, "Stated that I am resident of said address and do household work. My husband Sukhwinder Singh, who has been to Dubai for approximately 1 year. I have 3 children. Elder son Jashanpreet Singh, whose age is approximately 19 years. Younger than him daughter Simranjot Kaur age approximately 16 years 11 months, who is 10th class passed, who now stays at home and younger than her daughter Harmanjot Kaur, age approximately 14 years 4 months, who studies in tenth class in village Sandaur. Today time was be approximately 06:30 PM then my both daughters went away from house by saying to me that we are going to Gurudwara Sahib who earlier also often used to go to Gurudwara Sahib. When till approximately 07:00 PM my both said daughters did not return home then I along with my son Jashanpreet Singh started searching for above daughters, whom I have not found any whereabouts of my both daughters till now, but my daughter Simranjot Kaur had for long time circle/talking going on with Aslam Khan alias Maddi son of Ramzan Khan resident of Shergarh Cheema Police Station Sandaur, and my younger daughter Harmanjot Kaur had talking going on with Manpreet Singh alias Lali son Ram Singh village Abdulapura Chauhan Police Station Sandaur. Today I have full belief that my daughter Simranjot Kaur taken by Aslam Khan alias Maddi and Harmanjot HEMLATA 2026.07.23 14:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-37281-2026 and connected case - 3- Kaur taken by Manpreet Singh alias Lali on the pretext of marriage. Against then due legal action should be taken. Our daughters should be recovered I along with my son Jashanpreet Singh present at Police Station gave my statement in written, same is read, heard and is signed correct. Action should be taken. Signed Sarabjit Kaur above, identified by Jashanpreet Singh." Identified by Dilbar Khan ASI, P.S Sandaur, dated 08.06.2026. Police Proceedings.” 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners has vehemently argued that as per the complainant, Simranjot Kaur, aged about 16 years, was on talking terms with Aslam Khan, petitioner in CRM-M-37297-2026, whereas, her younger daughter, Harmanjot Kaur, aged about 14 years, was on talking terms with Manpreet Singh, petitioner in CRM-M-37281-2026. Both the minor victims had left their parental home out of their own free will and have gone to Gurudwara, due to domestic dispute with their mother. However, later on, it has been falsely alleged that both the petitioners had taken away the minor victims with them with the intention of marrying them. Learned counsel further submits that the victims, namely, Simranjot Kaur and Harmanjot Kaur were recovered by the police on 10.06.2026 and they denied the allegations of kidnapping in the present case. Rather, they categorically stated that no wrong act was committed against them by the petitioners. Even there was no medical evidence, which could support the allegations of any wrong act with them. Learned counsel further submits that the petitioners have already entered into a compromise with the complainant side in the present case. HEMLATA 2026.07.23 14:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-37281-2026 and connected case - 4- 4. Learned counsel for the complainant submits that the petitioners have entered into a compromise with the complainant and he has no objection in case, the petitions are allowed by this Court. 5. On the other hand, learned State counsel has vehemently opposed the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioners on the ground that both the victims, namely, Simranjot Kaur and Harmanjot Kaur were aged about 16 years and 14 years respectively and since, they were sexually assaulted, the offence under Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Officence Act, 2012 has already been added in the present case. He further submits that the consent of both the victims was immaterial and the petitions deserve to be dismissed by this Court. 6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record carefully. 7. In the present case, the complainant has levelled serious allegations against both the petitioners by alleging that they had enticed away her daughters, namely, Simranjot Kaur, aged more than 16 years and her younger daughter, Harmanjot Kaur, aged about 14 years. Even I find force in the submissions made by learned State counsel that the consent of minor victims was immaterial and they were illegally taken away by both the petitioners. Even the victims were recovered from rented accommodation at Malerkotla. Still further, as per admitted case of the petitioners, they had compromised the matter with the family of the victims and this clearly shows that the petitioners are making efforts to tamper with the prosecution evidence. HEMLATA 2026.07.23 14:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-37281-2026 and connected case - 5- 8. Finding no merits in the present cases, the same are hereby dismissed accordingly. (N.S.SHEKHAWAT) 22.07.2026 JUDGE hemlata Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No HEMLATA 2026.07.23 14:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document