Meharwan Singh v. State Of Punjab
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 23.03.2026 Meharwan Singh
...Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab
...Respondent
CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE AARADHNA SAWHNEY Present :
Mr. Ankush Singla, Advocate for the petitioner.
Mr. Darshan Singh Malwai, Addl. A.G., Punjab. ***** AARADHNA SAWHNEY, J.(ORAL) 1.
By virtue of the present petition under Section 482 BNSS, petitioner, an accused in case bearing FIR No.177 dated 08.05.2025 registered under Section 318(4), 338 (wrongly mentioned as 358 in bail order), 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) BNS at Police Station City Barnala, District Barnala, has prayed for grant of pre-arrest bail. 2.
Joint status report dated 21.03.2026 by way of affidavit of Mr. Satvir Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub-Division Barnala, District Barnala has been filed in CRM-M-3707-2026 and CRM-M-71062026 (both arising out of the same FIR), wherein it has been mentioned that petitioner has joined the investigation. Further, petitioner has also handed over the copy of his passport. Learned State counsel, on instructions from SI Ajaib Singh, submits that petitioner is not needed for further investigation. 3.
On 22.01.2026, following order was passed by this Court:- "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
Meharwan Singh, aged about years 08.05.2025 318(4), (wrongly mentioned as 358 in bail order), 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) (old sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC) City Barnala Barnala
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner, inter alia, contends that complainant, Rohit Garg, lodged a complaint alleging that the accused, namely (1) Simranjit Singh, (2) Ravinder Kaur wife of Simranjit Singh, (3) Meharban Singh son of Simranjit Singh, (4) Deepak son of Harish Thakur, and (5) Kanwalpreet Kaur sister of Simranjit Singh, cheated him to the tune of Rs.1 crore by gaining his trust through the presentation of fake and forged appointment letters, falsely claiming to be officials of Tradecops Financial Service/Tradecops Private Limited, and by displaying forged documents purportedly relating to Government approvals.
Broadly, it has been alleged that complainant was induced by the accused persons to make substantial investments, including investments by his relatives, on the assurance that high returns would be paid as and when demanded.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is a young boy aged about 22 years and is a student of B.Com (Second Year). It is argued that there is no direct evidence to show that petitioner extended any specific allurement to the complainant for making the alleged investments. No amount has either been paid or credited in the bank account of the petitioner.
It is further submitted that the allegations, even if taken at their face value, do not constitute the commission of a criminal offence, as the investments were made by the complainant on his own volition, motivated by the expectation of earning high profits within a short span of time.
4. It is further submitted that a similarly situated co-accused, namely Kanwalpreet Kaur alias Kanwalpreet Kaur Harry (sister of Simranjit Singh and bua of the petitioner), has already been granted the concession of anticipatory bail by learned Court of Sessions, vide order dated 23.09.2025 (Annexure P-6). Thus, counsel prays for grant of the concession of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the present case.
5. Notice of motion.
6. On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab, puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent - State, and seeks some time to file status report in the matter.
7. Adjourned to 23.03.2026.
8. Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation as and when required to do so by the Investigating Agency. In the event of his arrest, the petitioner shall be released on adinterim bail, subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by all the conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.).
9. 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 the Court."
4.
Keeping in view the fact that petitioner has joined the investigation, interim bail granted vide order dated 22.01.2026 is hereby confirmed, subject to conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) BNSS. Further the petitioner is directed to join investigation as and when required in future by way of written notice for such purpose to be served by Investigating Officer of this case upon the petitioner; he will neither tamper with the evidence nor will influence the witnesses and nor will leave the country without prior permission of the Court. 5.
The petition stands allowed.
(AARADHNA SAWHNEY) JUDGE 23.03.2026 Hemant Whether speaking/reasoned :
Yes / No Whether reportable :
Yes / No