CRM-M-34468-2026(O&M) 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 208 CRM-M-34468-2026(O&M) Decided on: 27.08.2026 Neeraj …...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab …...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Ms. Gurpreet Kaur, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Manjinder Singh Bhullar, DAG, Punjab. . **** 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 petitioner, who has 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 Neeraj 50 17.03.2026 309(6),190, 191(3), 351(3), 61(2) and 238 of BNS (Sections 394, 149, 148, 506, 120-B, 201 IPC) Rahon SBS Nagar 2. On 23.06.2026, following order was passed:- acer 2026.08.27 20:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-34468-2026(O&M) 2 “ Present petition has been filed for anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) in FIR No.50 dated 17.03.2026, registered under Sections 309(6), 190, 191(3), 351(3), 61(2), 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, ‘BNS’) [corresponding Sections 394/149/148/506/120B/201 of IPC] at Police Station Rahon, District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Learned counsel for petitioner, inter alia, contends that the petitioner is not named in the FIR and in the FIR, only one Yuvraj was named. The supplementary statement of the complainant was recorded four days after the alleged occurrence and even in the said supplementary statement, no specific role has been attributed to the petitioner. Notice of motion for 27.08.2026. In the meantime, keeping in view the law enunciated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Satender Kumar Antil Vs. CBI (2022) 10 SCC 51; Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre Vs. State of Maharashtra and others 2010 SCC OnLine SC 137; Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia etc. Vs. State of Punjab (1980) 2 SCC 565, Arnesh Kumar Vs. State of Bihar (2014) 8 SCC 273 and Sushila Aggarwal Vs. State of NCT Delhi 2020 (1) RCR (Criminal) 833, at the first instance, the petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer within two weeks from today and on this doing so or in the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be admitted to interim bail on furnishing of bail/surety bond to the satisfaction of the Investigating/Arresting Officer. The petitioner shall cooperate with the Investigating/Arresting Officer and abide by the conditions as provided under Section 482 (2) BNSS. If the Investigating/Arresting Officer does not permit the petitioner to join the investigation, the petitioner would appear before the Illaqa Magistrate, who would then summon the Investigating/Arresting Officer and direct him to join the petitioners in investigation, in terms of the order of this Court. Nothing observed hereinabove shall be construed as expression of opinion of this Court on merits of the case and the acer 2026.08.27 20:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-34468-2026(O&M) 3 trial Court shall proceed without being prejudiced by observations of this Court ” 3. Continuing his submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner contends in compliance with the order dated 23.06.2026 passed by the co-ordinate Bench of this Court, petitioner has joined the investigation and has extended full cooperation. Therefore, he prays for confirmation of the said interim anticipatory bail order. 4. Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Mohan Lal Singh confirms the said averment made by counsel for the petitioner of joining the investigation by the petitioner on 01.07.2026, and submits that as of now, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required for the purpose of investigation. 5. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 6. Since, petitioner has already joined the investigation and custodial interrogation is no more required; ad-interim bail order dated 23.06.2026, passed by the co-ordinate Bench of 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. 7. However, it is clarified that, in the event the petitioner fails to submit his passport, or an affidavit regarding non-possession of a passport, if he does not possess one, before the Investigating Agency or the concerned Court within a period of one week from today, the present order shall stand rendered inoperative, and the Investigating Officer shall be at liberty to proceed with the arrest of the petitioner. acer 2026.08.27 20:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-34468-2026(O&M) 4 8. Accordingly, petition stands disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 27.08.2026. Rashmi Whether Speaking/Reasoned: YES/NO Whether Reportable: YES/NO acer 2026.08.27 20:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document