Varinder Verma v. State Of Punjab And Another

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 101+201(2) Date of decision: 26.05.2026 VARINDER VERMA PETITIONER

VERSUS

STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL

Present:

Mr. Jagvinder Singh Santwal, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Akash Yadav, AAG Punjab.

Mr. Pardeep Kumar, Advocate for respondent No.2.

*** Shalini Singh Nagpal, J. (Oral) 1.

Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case vide FIR No.001 dated 03.01.2026 under Sections 316(2), 85 and 79 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (B.N.S.), 2023, Police Station Women, SAS Nagar. This is the first petition for anticipatory bail.

2.

On 04.02.2026, following order was passed:- "Petitioner-Varinder Verma has filed this petition under Section 482 of BNSS for grant of anticipatory bail in FIR No.001 dated 3.1.2026 under Sections 316(2), 85, 79 of BNS registered at Police Station Women, SAS Nagar (Annexure P-1).

Learned counsel for petitioner states that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case. The allegations are exaggerated, generalized, omnibus in nature. No specific overt act is attributed to the petitioner. Petitioner is also ready to join investigation. Notice of motion. On advance notice, Mr.J.S.Rattu, DAG, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State. He seeks time to file status report. The same be filed on the next date of hearing.

Mr. Pardeep Kumar, Advocate appears and accepts notice on behalf of respondent no.2/complainant. He files memorandum of appearance on behalf of respondent No.2. He seeks time to file vakalatnama. Learned counsel for respondent no.2/complainant pointed out that there are specific serious allegations in the FIR causing threats and criminal intimidation and passing irresponsible remarks on the complainant. The petitioner is yet to join investigation. He states that respondent is not ready for mediation.

Learned counsel for State also argued on the same line and wanted to file status report. Considering the factual position, let status report be filed on the next date of hearing.

Adjourned to 25.3.2026.

In the meanwhile, arrest of the present petitioner is stayed till next date of hearing, subject to joining investigation. To be taken up along with connected matter i.e. CRM-M-4536-2026. 3.

Status report by way of affidavit of Mr. Ajitpal Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime against Women and Children, District SAS Nagar (Mohali) on behalf of respondent No.1-State has been filed. The same is made part of the record. Learned State counsel, on instructions from SI Gurdev Singh, assisted by learned counsel for respondent No.2, submits that pursuant to last order dated 28.04.2026, petitioner again joined investigation but the articles which he was willing to hand over, did not belong to the complainant. The same were, therefore, not taken. Prayer for anticipatory bail was opposed. 4.

Benefit of anticipatory bail cannot be declined merely on the ground that recovery has not been effected. Whether or not the articles were indeed entrusted to the petitioner, would be a matter of evidence, to be led during the trial. Pursuant to orders of this Court dated 04.02.2026 and 28.04.2026, petitioner has joined investigation. In the circumstances of the

case but without commenting on merits, the petition is allowed. It is ordered that in the event of arrest, petitioner shall be released on anticipatory bail on his furnishing bonds to the satisfaction of the Investigating/Arresting Officer, subject to the conditions laid down in Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

5.

Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, stand disposed of. (SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL) JUDGE 26.05.2026 HS.CHAUHAN/Ajay Whether Speaking/Reasoned :

Yes/No Whether Reportable :

Yes/No