CRM-M-41223-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 110 CRM-M-41223-2026 Decided on: 28.07.2026 Jaspal Singh …...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab …...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Chanakya Batta, Advocate for the petitioner Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (ORAL) 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 petitioner, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of in FIR No.134 dated 04.06.2026, registered under Sections 409, 420 IPC and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 at Police Station Goraya, District Jalandhar. 2. Case of the prosecution is that petitioner was working as a Secretary with the Paddi Jagir Cooperative Agricultural Service Society Limited, Village Paddi Jagir, Tehsil Phillaur. The department conducted Special Audit pertaining to the year 2022-23 which brought out that applicant/accused Jaspal Singh had embezzled Rs. 29,91,544.09 ps and also had committed multiple discrepancies in maintaining record, in depositing concerned amounts with the Society, and in REENA 2026.07.28 18:29 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CRM-M-41223-2026 2 failing to hand over the charge of Stocks. On this count, the discrepancies were found to be of Rs. 82,31,262. In such manner, applicant/accused was found liable for S. 1,12,22,806.09 ps. On these facts and Audit Report, the FIR was lodged against applicant. 3. The special audit for the financial year of 2022-2023 was conducted and then completed in September 2023. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that vide letter dated 27.03.2023 issued by President/Managing Committee of the Society (Paddi Jagir Cooperative Agricultural Service Society Limited), petitioner was suspended on account of being absent from the service. Learned counsel wanted to rely upon the draft of the special report regarding the year 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023, wherein it is recorded that Secretary (petitioner herein) was having charge of the Society uptill 30.04.2022, after which he remained absent, thus, on the basis of said recording, counsel wants to submit that only for a period of one month during the financial year, which started in the year 2022, petitioner stayed in the office and it being admitted fact, no liability can be fixed against him, qua the embezzled amount for the year 2022-2023. 4. I have examined the record with the assistance of learned Sr. DAG Punjab, who also appears on advance notice and submits that even in the Draft Special Report it is further gone into the mentions that as per balance sheet of 30.04.2022/31.03.2023 cash in hand balance amount of Rs. 13,89,583.00 was already standing against the credit of Secretary Sh. Jaspal Singh-petitioner. The said draft report also mentions that as per balance sheet dated 30.04.2022, total stock stood at Rs. 6,94,175.14 out of which medicines stock worth Rs. 5,27,962.28 stands against Secretary Sh. Jaspal Singh. He did not hand over the charge of the stock to any committee member or Salesman Sh. Sunny, nor was a resolution REENA 2026.07.28 18:29 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CRM-M-41223-2026 3 passed. Even the loan recovery receipts of members were matched with day book, from where it was found that loan recoveries total Rs. 4,14,494.00 including interest part was deposited by certain members with the Society Secretary, but no entries in that regard were made in the record/day book of the Society. 5. In view of the aforementioned reasons assigned in the Draft Special Report, only for the reason that the FIR has been got registered in the year 2026 i.e. after a period of about 02 year 06 months, culpability can not be ruled out and, therefore, the petitioner requires to be interrogated, however, it would be subject to the clarification, if any, acceptable to the Investigating Officer. 6. The petition is, accordingly, dismissed. (SANJAY VASHISTH) 28.07.2026 JUDGE reena Whether Speaking/Reasoned: YES/NO Whether Reportable: YES/NO REENA 2026.07.28 18:29 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh