Raghubir @ Rangeela v. State Of Punjab
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-2816-2026 Decided on: 28.04.2026 Raghubir @ Rangeela ......Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab ......Respondent
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH
Present:
Mr. Gaganpreet Kaur, Advocate for Mr. Kuldip Singh, Advocate for the petitioner.
Mr. Vinay Malhotra, AAG, Haryana.
**** 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 of Petitioner (s) FIR No.
Date Section(s) Police Station District Raghubir @ Rangeela 13.08.2025 303(2) of BNS Banur SAS Nagar 2.
On 20.01.2026, following order was passed:- "1.
XXXX 2.
Theft of the motorcycle bearing No. PB65AB5225, belonging to the complainant, Surinder Singh, was committed on 02.08.2025, whereas the FIR was lodged by him on 13.08.2025 after viewing CCTV footage from various police stations.
3.
According to the complainant, his motorcycle was stolen by two unknown persons. When accused- Sunil @ Kaka, was arrested while attempting to steal another motorcycle, he allegedly confessed that he (Sunil @ Kaka) and his accomplice, Harsh, had stolen the
motorcycle together from Gurudwara Banda Singh Bahadur, Banur Main Road, Chandigarh-Patiala, and had sold the motorcycle at Patran-Samana. Subsequent to his arrest, on 14.08.2025, another disclosure statement of Sunil Kumar was recorded, implicating the petitioner in the theft of the motorcycle in question. Thus, learned counsel submits that there are two differing versions of the prosecution case: (i) as per the complainant's statement, and (ii) as per the disclosure statement dated 14.08.2025 (P-2). 4.
Counsel further contends that the petitioner is a young man,aged 22 years, with clean antecedents, having never been involved in any such incident. Moreover, the petitioner is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation if protected from arrest. Learned counsel, therefore, prays for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.
Notice of motion.
On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent - State. He seeks sometime to file reply.
6.
Adjourned to 28.04.2026.
7.
In the meanwhile, petitioner is directed to join the investigation as and when required to do so by the Investigating Agency.In the event of his arrest, petitioner shall be released on interim bail, subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. Petitioner shall also be abide by all the conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.). 8.
Besides, it is directed that petitioner would hand over his passport to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if he possesses. Otherwise, would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that he does not possess any passport.
It is also directed that before leaving country any time during trial, petitioner would seek prior permission of this Court. 3.
Continuing his submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner contends that in compliance of the order dated 20.01.2026, passed by this Court, petitioner has joined the investigation, and has fully co-operated. Therefore, he prays for confirmation of the said interim anticipatory bail order.
4.
Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Hardev Singh, confirms the said averment made by counsel for the petitioner of joining the investigation on 17.02.2026 by the petitioner, 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 20.01.2026, passed by 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.
Besides, it is directed that petitioner would hand over his passport to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if he possesses. Otherwise, would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that he does not possess any passport.
It is also directed that before leaving country any time during trial, petitioner would seek prior permission of this Court. 8.
Accordingly, petition stands disposed of.
(SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE 29.04.2026 Poonam Whether Speaking/Reasoned: YES/NO Whether Reportable:
YES/NO