CRM-M-40066-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. 217 CRM-M-40066-2026. Date of Decision: 03.09.2026. Rajiv Dutta @ Rajeev Datta ....Petitioner. VERSUS State of Punjab ....Respondent. *** CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH --- Present: Ms. Rashika Bansal, Advocate for Mr. Nimish Gautam, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Gurpartap Singh, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab. **** SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (Oral) Petitioner-Rajiv Dutta @ Rajeev Datta, aged about 54 years, has filed the instant petition under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, seeking regular bail in case FIR No.186 dated 08.10.2024 under Sections 406, 420, 120-B, 467, 468, 471 IPC and Section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professional Regulation Act, 2012, registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala, District Patiala. 2. Complainant-Jatinder Kumar got registered the FIR against the petitioner and another co-accused Maninder Singh, with the allegations that for sending the complainant abroad, petitioner received an amount of Rs.11 Lakh but neither the required arrangement to send him abroad was made nor the amount was returned. JITENDER 2026.09.07 10:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-40066-2026 2 3. Counsel argues that amount of Rs.3.70 lakh is already paid paid to the complainant. However, in actual, no such contract was ever arrived at between the complainant and the petitioner. Co-accused of petitioner namely Maninder Singh already stands released on bail, whereas petitioner has already suffered total incarceration period of 04 months and 22 days inside jail. Petitioner is facing prosecution in two other cases i.e. (1) FIR No.146 dated 23.10.20232 under Sections 406, 420, 120-B IPC, Police Station Kotwali, Nabha and (2) FIR No.170 dated 12.07.2023 under Section 420 IPC, Police Station Sadar Mansa, District Mansa but he is on bail in those cases. Thus, counsel prays for grant of bail to the petitioner. 4. Co-accused of petitioner namely accused Maninder Singh has already been granted bail and petitioner is inside jail for a period of 04 months and 22 days. Accordingly, as conclusion of trial is likely to consume considerable time, this Court is of the considered opinion that the petitioner deserves the concession of regular bail. However, anything observed hereinabove shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. Consequently, the present petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to his furnishing bail/ surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. 5. Needless to observe that the petitioner shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly. 6. The observation made here-in-above shall not be construed as an JITENDER 2026.09.07 10:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-40066-2026 3 expression of opinion on the facts of the case and the Trial Court is expected to decide the case on the basis of complete evidence available on record. 7. It is further made clear that if, in future, petitioner is directly found indulged in similar kind of activities, this order shall be deemed to be cancelled. 8. Petition stands disposed of accordingly. Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of accordingly. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 03.09.2026 jitender Whether speaking/ reasoned : Yes/ No Whether Reportable : Yes/ No JITENDER 2026.09.07 10:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document