Malwinder Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-9057-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 04.05.2026 MALWINDER SINGH ... Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY Present :

Mr. Deepinder Virk, Advocate and Mr. Akash Gahlawat, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Manjot Kaur, AAG, Punjab.

**** AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (Oral) 1.

The present petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS, 2023, for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.45, dated 30.12.2025, under Sections 7, 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 61(2) BNS, registered at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Patiala. 2.

On 16.04.2026, this Court had passed the following order:- "Learned Senior Counsel submits that it is a case of neither trap nor any audio or video recording with regard to demand or acceptance of bribe. Furthermore, there is delay of 15 days in filing the complaint i.e. on 30.12.2025, while the alleged illegal gratification is stated to have been paid on 15.12.2025 and in view of proviso to Section 8 of PC Act, the complainant would become an accused as he did not submit the complaint within a period of 7 days. Even in the CCTV footage, the petitioner is not shown to have handed over the alleged bribe amount of Rs.25,000/- as stated in the FIR. The petitioner is not involved in any other case; ready and willing to join the investigation as and when required by the investigating agency and will cooperate.

Notice of motion.

At the asking of the Court, Mr. Manipal Singh Atwal, DAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State. Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation on or before 23.04.2026. In the event of his arrest, he shall be released on interim bail to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, subject to compliance of conditions as enshrined under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

However, it is clarified that if the petitioner does not join and cooperate with the Investigating Agency as required by the Arresting/Investigating Officer, this interim order shall be deemed to have been vacated.

Adjourned to 30.04.2026."

ASHOK KUMAR 2026.05.04 19:12 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M-9057-2026 (O&M) -23.

Learned counsel submits that in pursuance of the afore-mentioned order, the petitioner has not only joined investigation but also fully cooperated with the investigating agency. He further submits that in case the investigating agency requires the petitioner to appear, he shall make himself available without demur.

4.

Learned State counsel on instructions from Inspector Harpreet Singh affirms the factum of joining the investigation by the petitioner and cooperating with the investigating agency. She also submits that at this stage, the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation. 5.

In view of the above and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, anticipatory bail petition filed by the petitioner is allowed and the order dated 16.04.2026 granting interim bail to him, is hereby made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions as specified under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

6.

However, it is made clear that if the petitioner fails to join and cooperate with the investigating agency as and when required, the State would be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of the present anticipatory bail granted to him.

(AMAN CHAUDHARY) 04.05.2026 JUDGE ashok Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No ASHOK KUMAR 2026.05.04 19:12 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document