Malkeet Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 20.04.2026 MALKEET SINGH ... Petitioner

Versus

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

Mr. Daljeet Singh Randhawa, 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.7, dated 05.1.2026, under Sections 108, 351(2) BNS, registered at Police Station Civil Lines Batala, Police District Batala, District Gurdaspur.

2.

On 10.03.2026, the Co-ordinate Bench had passed the following order:- "1. Petitioner, an accused in case FIR No.07 dated 05.01.2026 registered against him, under Sections 108/351(2) BNS at Police Station Civil Lines Batala, Police District Batala, District Gurdaspur has filed the petition for grant of pre-arrest bail under Section 482 of BNSS.

2. Relevant facts as emerging from the documents on records be noticed hereinbelow:

"Paramjit Kaur wife of Satnam Singh, resident of Kotla Bama Thana Sadar Batala, a home maker, set the criminal law in motion by filing a complaint pointing therein that she is blessed with two sons and a daughter. Her elder son Karandeep Singh, aged 37 years, who is physically challenged from legs, is working as commission agent at Shop No.51, Dana Mandi Batala. His younger son Roban Singh and her daughter Harmeet Kaur are staying abroad. On 25.12.2025, her eldest son Karandeep Singh had returned back from work and had consumed poisonous medicine in his office. A note written by him was found by her in the drawer of the table in his office. As per the said note, several persons owed money to Karandeep Singh. Their names and the amount due from them were mentioned in the note.

Karandeep Singh also pointed out that if anything happens to him, the persons mentioned in the suicide note would be responsible. Complainant pointed out that immediately she rushed her son to EMC Hospital Jalandhar Road, Batala. Unfortunately, he died on 05.01.2026. Complainant also pointed out that her son was quite disturbed by the misdeeds of the persons mentioned in the suicide note, who owed money to him but were not returning back the same. Extremely distressed, he ended his life.

-2suicide note, aforesaid FIR was registered. Investigations were set into motion during which post-mortem examination of the dead body was got conducted. Suicide note was also taken into possession."

3. Petitioner, who was one of those persons, who had been named by the deceased in the suicide note, moved an application for grant of pre-arrest bail. The same came to be dismissed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Gurdaspur vide order dated 02.02.2026. Aggrieved of which, the present petition has been filed.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner was working as a commission agent at Grain Market, Batala. Documents brought on record indicate that petitioner and deceased had a professional relationship. Learned counsel has drawn the attention of this Court to the copy of suicide note, a bare perusal of which reveals that apart from several persons named in the said note who allegedly owed money to deceased, he himself mentioned that he also had to return money to some persons. Further, in the 'suicide note', no positive overt act on the part of the petitioner, soon before the death of the deceased has been referred to, which compelled deceased and brought him to such a situation in life where he had no option but to commit suicide.

There is nothing on record that deceased had initiated any legal proceedings against those mentioned in the suicide note who had allegedly borrowed money from him and were refusing to return the same. It has been submitted that when appreciated in the light of facts and circumstances brought on record, no prima facie case under Section 108 of BNS is made out. Unexplained delay of 10 days in lodging FIR further raise serious doubt on the genuineness of story put forth by prosecution. Further, similarly situated co-accused Rajinder Kumar @ Rajinder Munim, Komalpreet Singh, Daljit Singh have also been granted the concession of anticipatory bail by this Court vide orders dated 22.01.2026, 03.02.2026 and 11.02.2026 (Annexures P-2). Thus, it has been prayed that similar treatment be meted out to the present petitioner.

Presence of the petitioner is not required for custodial interrogation, for nothing is to be recovered from him but being a law abiding citizen, he is willing to join the investigation.

5. Heard. Documents on record perused.

6. Notice of motion.

Mr. Kamalpreet Bawa, DAG, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the State. He seeks time to file the status report.

7. List on 08.04.2026.

8. In the 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 ad-interim bail, subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. The 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.).

9. To be tagged along with CRM-M-3698-2026."

3.

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.

-34.

Learned State counsel on instructions from SI Narjit Singh affirms the factum of joining the investigation by the petitioner on 24.03.2026 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 10.03.2026 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) 20.04.2026 JUDGE ashok Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No