Jethanand Chhabra v. CBI

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 2024:PHHC:031212 CRM-M-1156-2024 Date of decision: March 5th, 2024 Jethanand Chhabra .....Petitioner

Versus

Central Bureau of Investigation .....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL

Present:

Ms. Mona Goyal, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Akashdeep Singh, Special Public Prosecutor, CBI. MANJARI NEHRU KAUL, J. (ORAL) Petitioner is seeking the concession of anticipatory bail in FIR No.RCCHG2019A0016 dated 04.11.2019 under Sections 120-B, 420, 465, 468, 471, 472 of the IPC and Sections 13(2), 13(1)(D) of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, registered at Police Station CBI, ACB Chandigarh.

2.

While issuing notice of motion on 11.01.2024, following submissions of learned counsel for the petitioner were recorded:- "Learned counsel for the petitioner, inter alia, contends that the petitioner was not even posted in the Branch of State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, which had advanced a loan of `10 crore to M/s Vinod Cotton Corporation, Bathinda, the co-accused. She submits that the loan in question was advanced in the year 2012, whereas the petitioner was posted in the Branch of the aforementioned bank only in the year 2014 and hence, he could not be attributed any role in the crime in question."

3.

Thereafter, vide order dated 24.01.2024, the petitioner had been directed to appear before the trial Court and was directed to be PUNEET SACHDEVA 2024.03.05 15:07 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh admitted on interim bail on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the

CRM-M-1156-2024 satisfaction of the trial Court.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of order dated 24.01.2024, the petitioner had appeared before the trial Court and furnished bail bonds. In support, she has placed on record certified copy of order dated 30.01.2024 passed by learned Special Judge, CBI, Punjab, S.A.S. Nagar, which is taken on record subject to just exceptions.

5.

Learned counsel for CBI, on instructions, does not dispute the factum of the petitioner having appeared before the trial Court. 6.

In view of the above, the petition is allowed and interim order dated 24.01.2024 is made absolute subject to the conditions laid down in Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.

March 5th, 2024 (MANJARI NEHRU KAUL) Puneet JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes Whether reportable :

No PUNEET SACHDEVA 2024.03.05 15:07 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh