2026:HHC:5311 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) Nos. 118 and 123 of 2026 Reserved on: 25.2.2026 Date of Decision: 3.3.2026. 1. Cr. MP(M) No. 118 of 2026 Manpreet Singh ….Petitioner Versus State of HP …. Respondent 2. Cr. MP(M) No. 123 of 2026 Vikas Rana ….Petitioner Versus State of HP …. Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 No. For the Petitioner(s) : Mr Dheeraj K. Vashisht, Advocate, in both the petitions. For the Respondent-State : Mr Lokender Kutlehria, Additional Advocate General, in both the petitions. 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes. 2 2026:HHC:5311 Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioners have 昀椀led the present petitions for seeking pre-arrest bail in FIR No. 82 of 2025, dated 2.11.2025, registered at Police Station, Mehatpur, District Una, H.P., for the commission of o昀昀ences punishable under Sections 140(1), 115(2) and 351(3) read with Section 3(5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and Section 25 of the Arms Act. 2. It has been asserted that the petitioners were arrayed as accused based on the complaint made by one Shubham Raijada. The police arrested one Ashutosh, and he was released on bail. Anmol Singh Rana was arrested on 17.12.2025, and he was also released on bail. The petitioners are also entitled to bail based on parity. The custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not required. Bail is a rule, and Jail is an exception. The petitioners would abide by the terms and conditions that the Court may impose. Hence, it was prayed that the present petitions be allowed and the petitioners be released on bail. 3. The petitions are opposed by 昀椀ling status reports asserting that the victim, Shubham Raijada, was called to his shop. He was taken from the shop in a vehicle by two people at 3 2026:HHC:5311 gunpoint. He was beaten in a jungle. He was subsequently taken in the vehicle towards Santoshgarh. ₹22,000/- was snatched from him, and he was thrown at Laverio-Ka-Bada. The police registered an FIR and investigated the matter. The police recovered the blood-stained stick, stones and wheel spanner from the spot. The police checked the CCTV footage, and the recording con昀椀rmed the victim’s version. The police arrested Asutosh alias Ashu Dubey, who named Anmol Rana alias Minkal, Manpreet alias Mani and Sudhanshu Attri as the assailants. The police arrested Anmol Rana alias Minkal, who con昀椀rmed the version of Ashutosh. He identi昀椀ed the vehicle used in the incident. The police searched for Vikas and Manpreet; however, they were apprehended. The investigation is continuing. Hence, the status report. 4. I have heard Mr Dheeraj K. Vashisht, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr Lokender Kutlehria, learned Additional Advocate General for the respondent/State. 5. Mr Dheeraj K. Vashisht, learned counsel for the petitioners, submitted that the petitioners are innocent and they are being arrested based on the statement made by the co- 4 2026:HHC:5311 accused. The petitioners have no role in the commission of the o昀昀ence. They would abide by the terms and conditions that the Court may impose. The co-accused have been released on bail, and the petitioners are entitled to bail on the principle of parity. Hence, he prayed that the present petitions be allowed and the petitioners be released on bail. 6. Mr Lokender Kutlehria, learned Additional Advocate General for the respondent/State, submitted that the co-accused were released on bail by the Court after their arrest. The considerations for pre-arrest bail and regular bail are di昀昀erent. Therefore, the petitioners cannot claim parity based on the regular bail granted to the co-accused. Hence, he prayed that the present petitions be dismissed. 7. I have given considerable thought to the submissions made at the bar and have gone through the record carefully. 8. It was laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in P. Chidambaram v. Directorate of Enforcement, (2019) 9 SCC 24: (2019) 3 SCC (Cri) 509: 2019 SCC OnLine SC 1143 that arrest is a part of the investigation procedure. The power of pre-arrest bail is extraordinary and should be sparingly exercised. It was observed: 5 2026:HHC:5311 “69. Ordinarily, an arrest is a part of the procedure of the investigation to secure not only the presence of the accused but also several other purposes. Power under Section 438 Cr.P.C. is an extraordinary power, and the same has to be exercised sparingly. The privilege of pre- arrest bail should be granted only in exceptional cases. The judicial discretion conferred upon the court has to be properly exercised after application of mind as to the nature and gravity of the accusation; the possibility of the applicant 昀氀eeing justice, and other factors to decide whether it is a 昀椀t case for the grant of anticipatory bail. Grant of anticipatory bail to some extent interferes with the sphere of investigation of an o昀昀ence, and hence, the court must be circumspect while exercising such power for the grant of anticipatory bail. Anticipatory bail is not to be granted as a matter of rule, and it has to be granted only when the court is convinced that exceptional circumstances exist to resort to that extraordinary remedy.” 9. This position was reiterated in Srikant Upadhyay v. State of Bihar, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 282, wherein it was held: “25. We have already held that the power to grant anticipatory bail is extraordinary. Though in many cases it was held that bail is said to be a rule, it cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be said that anticipatory bail is the rule. It cannot be the rule, and the question of its grant should be left to the cautious and judicious discretion of the Court, depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. While called upon to exercise the said power, the Court concerned has to be very cautious, as the grant of interim protection or protection to the accused in serious cases may lead to a miscarriage of justice and may hamper the investigation to a great extent, as it may sometimes lead to tampering or distraction of the evidence. We shall not be understood to have held that the Court shall not pass interim protection pending consideration of such 6 2026:HHC:5311 application as the Section is destined to safeguard the freedom of an individual against unwarranted arrest, and we say that such orders shall be passed in eminently 昀椀t cases.” 10. It was held in Pratibha Manchanda v. State of Haryana, (2023) 8 SCC 181: 2023 SCC OnLine SC 785 that the Courts should balance individual rights, public interest and fair investigation while considering an application for pre-arrest bail. It was observed: “21. The relief of anticipatory bail is aimed at safeguarding individual rights. While it serves as a crucial tool to prevent the misuse of the power of arrest and protects innocent individuals from harassment, it also presents challenges in maintaining a delicate balance between individual rights and the interests of justice. The tightrope we must walk lies in striking a balance between safeguarding individual rights and protecting public interest. While the right to liberty and presumption of innocence are vital, the court must also consider the gravity of the o昀昀ence, the impact on society, and the need for a fair and free investigation. The court's discretion in weighing these interests in the facts and circumstances of each case becomes crucial to ensure a just outcome.” 11. It was held in Devinder Kumar Bansal v. State of Punjab, (2025) 4 SCC 493: 2025 SCC OnLine SC 488 that pre-arrest bail can be granted in exceptional circumstances where the Court is of the view that the petitioner was falsely implicated in the case, and the presumption of innocence cannot be a reason to grant bail. It was observed at page 501: 7 2026:HHC:5311 “21. The parameters for the grant of anticipatory bail in a serious o昀昀ence like corruption are required to be satis昀椀ed. Anticipatory bail can be granted only in exceptional circumstances where the court is prima facie of the view that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the crime or the allegations are politically motivated or are frivolous. So far as the case at hand is concerned, it cannot be said that any exceptional circumstances have been made out by the petitioner-accused for the grant of anticipatory bail, and there is no frivolity in the prosecution. 22. In the aforesaid context, we may refer to a pronouncement in CBI v. V. Vijay Sai Reddy[CBIv.V. Vijay Sai Reddy, (2013) 7 SCC 452: (2013) 3 SCC (Cri) 563], wherein this Court expressed thus: (SCC p. 465, para 34) “34. While granting bail, the court has to keep in mind the nature of accusation, the nature of evidence in support thereof, the severity of the punishment which conviction will entail, the character of the accused, circumstances which are peculiar to the accused, reasonable possibility of securing the presence of the accused at the trial, reasonable apprehension of the witnesses being tampered with, the larger interests of the public/State and other similar considerations. It has also to be kept in mind that for the purpose of granting bail, the legislature has used the words “reasonable grounds for believing” instead of “the evidence” which means the court dealing with the grant of bail can only satisfy itself as to whether there is a genuine case against the accused and that the prosecution will be able to produce prima facie evidence in support of the charge. It is not expected, at this stage, to have the evidence establishing the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.” (emphasis in original and supplied) 23. The presumption of innocence, by itself, cannot be the sole consideration for the grant of anticipatory bail. The presumption of innocence is one of the considerations that the court should keep in mind while considering the plea 8 2026:HHC:5311 for anticipatory bail. The salutary rule is to balance the cause of the accused and the cause of public justice. Over- solicitous homage to the accused's liberty can, sometimes, defeat the cause of public justice. 12. The present petitions have to be decided as per the parameters laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. 13. The status report shows that the investigation is continuing. The victim’s version is duly corroborated by the CCTV footage seized by the police. The police arrested Anmol Rana alias Mikal, who identi昀椀ed the vehicle used in the commission of the crime. He and Ashusosh Dubey had named the petitioners. The police are yet to recover the gun that was used in the commission of the crime. Therefore, the plea taken by the police that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is necessary has some force. 14. It was laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in State Versus Anil Sharma (1997) 7 SCC 187 that where custodial interrogation is required, pre-arrest bail should not be granted. It was observed: - “6. We 昀椀nd force in the submission of the CBI that custodial interrogation is qualitatively more elicitation- oriented than questioning a suspect who is well- ensconced with a favourable order under Section 438 of the Code. In a case like this, e昀昀ective interrogation of a 9 2026:HHC:5311 suspected person is of tremendous advantage in disinterring much useful information and also materials which would have been concealed. Success in such interrogation would elude if the suspected person knows that he is well protected and insulated by a pre-arrest bail order during the time he is interrogated. Very often, interrogation in such a condition would reduce to a mere ritual. The argument that the custodial interrogation is fraught with the danger of the person being subjected to third-degree methods need not be countenanced, for such an argument can be advanced by all accused in all criminal cases. The Court has to presume that responsible Police O昀케cers would conduct themselves in a responsible manner and that those entrusted with the task of disinterring o昀昀ences would not conduct themselves as o昀昀ender” 15. A similar view was taken by the Delhi High Court in Mukesh Khurana v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2022 SCC OnLine Del 1032, wherein it was observed: - “13. One of the signi昀椀cant factors in determining this question would be the need for custodial interrogation. Without a doubt, custodial interrogation is more e昀昀ective to question a suspect. The cocoon of protection a昀昀orded by a bail order insulates the suspect, and he could thwart interrogation, reducing it to futile rituals. But it must also be kept in mind that while interrogation of a suspect is one of the basic and e昀昀ective methods of crime solving, the liberty of an individual also needs to be balanced out.” 16. It was held in P Chidambaram (supra) that the grant of pre-arrest bail may hamper the investigations. It was observed: 10 2026:HHC:5311 “83. Grant of anticipatory bail at the stage of investigation may frustrate the investigating agency in interrogating the accused and in collecting useful information, and also the materials which might have been concealed. Success in such interrogation would elude if the accused knows that he is protected by the order of the court. Grant of anticipatory bail, particularly in economic o昀昀ences, would de昀椀nitely hamper the e昀昀ective investigation. Having regard to the materials said to have been collected by the respondent Enforcement Directorate and considering the stage of the investigation, we are of the view that it is not a 昀椀t case to grant anticipatory bail.” 17. It was submitted that the petitioner are being named by the co-accused, which is not a legally admissible piece of evidence. This submission will not help the petitioners. The investigation is continuing, and the statement made by the co- accused can provide valuable clues regarding the commission of the crime. The statement may not be admissible in evidence, but is relevant for the further interrogation of the co-accused. It was laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Union of India vs Khaliludeen 2022 Supreme SC 1247 that bail can be denied to the accused, who was named by the co-accused. It was observed: “8. The answer to said question could be the statement recorded by Md. Nizam Uddin. The statement of Md. Jakir Hussain, recorded under Section 67 of the act, has also named his owner Abdul Hai. We are conscious of the fact that the validity and scope of such statements under Section 67 have been pronounced upon by this Court in Tofan Singh vs. State of Tamil Nadu, (2021) 4 SCC 1. In State by (NCB) Bengaluru vs. Pallulabid Ahmad Arimutta and 11 2026:HHC:5311 Another, 2022 Live Law (SC) 69, the rigour of law laid down by this Court in Tofan Singh was held to be applicable even at the stage of grant of bail. 9. However, going by the circumstances on record, at this stage, on the strength of the statement of Md. Nizam Uddin, though allegedly retracted later, the matter stands on a di昀昀erent footing. In our considered view, in the face of the mandate of Section 37 of the Act, the High Court could not and ought not to have released the accused on bail. We, therefore, allow these appeals, set aside the view taken by the High Court and direct that both the appellants be taken in custody forthwith”. 18. This position was reiterated in Union of India v. Ajay Kumar Singh, 2023 SCC OnLine SC 346, wherein it was held: “11. The information revealed by the above two accused persons indicated that both of them knew the respondent- accused and that they had connived with him to transport the illicit ganja, and that they were in direct contact with the respondent-accused all through his mobile number. The facts as unfurled from the complaint/FIR and the statements of the above two accused persons recorded under Section 67 of the NDPS Act reveal that the respondent-accused is the kingpin and the organiser of the illicit trade in ganja. Xxxx 17. The quantity of “ganja” recovered is admittedly of commercial quantity. The High Court has not recorded any 昀椀nding that the respondent-accused is not prima facie guilty of the o昀昀ence alleged and that he is not likely to commit the same o昀昀ence when enlarged on bail; rather, his antecedents are indicative that he is a regular o昀昀ender. In the absence of a recording of such satisfaction by the court, we are of the opinion that the High Court manifestly erred in enlarging the respondent-accused on bail. 19. It was held by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in State of Haryana v. Samarth Kumar, 2022 SCC OnLine SC 2087, that the 12 2026:HHC:5311 accused cannot be released on pre-arrest bail relying upon the judgment in Tofan Singh (supra). It was observed: “4. The High Court decided to grant pre-arrest bail to the respondents on the only ground that no recovery was e昀昀ected from the respondents and that they had been implicated only on the basis of the disclosure statement of the main accused, Dinesh Kumar. Therefore, reliance was placed by the High Court in the majority judgment of this Court in Tofan Singh v. State of Tamil Nadu, (2021) 4 SCC 1. xxxxx 8. In cases of this nature, the respondents may be able to take advantage of the decision in Tofan Singh v. State of Tamil Nadu (supra), perhaps at the time of arguing the regular bail application or at the time of 昀椀nal hearing after the conclusion of the trial. 9. To grant anticipatory bail in a case of this nature is not really warranted. Therefore, we are of the view that the High Court fell into an error in granting anticipatory bail to the respondents.” (Emphasis supplied) 20. These judgments were followed by this Court in Rajesh Kumar v. State of H.P., Cr.MP(M) No. 458 of 2025, decided on 25.3.2025, and it was held that the pre-arrest bail can be denied to a person named by the co-accused to enable the police to interrogate the petitioner. An SLP No. 55547 of 2025 titled Rajesh Kumar Vs. State of H.P. against this order was withdrawn on 21.4.2025. It was held by this Court in Jatinder Pal Singh vs. State of HP 2025:HHC:20446 that a person named by the co-accused is not entitled to pre-arrest bail. This order was upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Jatinder Pal Singh vs. State of HP, 13 2026:HHC:5311 Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 9629/2025 decided on 10.07.2025. 21. Thus, the submission that the statement made by the co-accused is inadmissible and the petitioner are entitled to pre-arrest bail cannot be accepted. 22. The allegations against the petitioners are heinous. He and the co-accused had abducted the victim at gunpoint. They snatched ₹22,000/- from him and gave him beatings. Keeping in view the nature of the o昀昀ence and the fact that the investigation is continuing, the petitioners are not entitled to pre-arrest bail. 23. It was submitted that the co-accused has been released on bail and the petitioners are also entitled to bail on the principle of parity. This submission will not help the petitioners because it was rightly submitted on behalf of the State that the consideration for regular bail and pre-arrest bail are di昀昀erent. Therefore, not much advantage can be derived from the regular bail granted to the accused. 24. No other point was urged. 14 2026:HHC:5311 25. In view of the above, the petitioners cannot be held entitled to pre-arrest bail. Consequently, the present petitions fail, and they are dismissed. 26. The observations made heretofore shall remain con昀椀ned to the disposal of the petition and will have no bearing, whatsoever, on the merits of the case. (Rakesh Kainthla) Judge 3rd March, 2026 (Chander)