Manpreet Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

Criminal Misc. No. M-26591 of 2015 Date of decision : September 14, 2015 Manpreet Singh ....Petitioner versus State of Punjab ....Respondent Coram:

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Fateh Deep Singh Present :

Mr. Gaurav Chopra, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. J.S.Brar, AAG, Punjab Mr. Harish Sharma, Advocate, for the complainant Fateh Deep Singh, J. (Oral) The allegations against the present petitioner accused Manpreet Singh in this anticipatory bail application preferred under section 438 Cr.P.C. are that while posted as Lending Relationship Manager with the complainant Axis Bank Limited facilitated in the month of March, 2014 grant of agricultural loan of Rs 50 lacs in the name of Kanwaljit Singh on the basis of mortgage of land owned by actual owner Kamaljit Singh both having common father's name as Balwant Singh, the latter NRI residing in Canada for the last 10 years. It has also transpired during the investigations that this petitioner by such modus operandi with his coaccused has facilitated another grant of loan to the tune of Rs 17 lacs and accepting bribe.

DALBIR SINGH TIWANA 2015.09.15 16:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh

Criminal Misc. No. M-26591 of 2015 -2The contentions of the petitioner's counsel that under the duties assigned to the petitioner he was only to process and forward the loan file and it was the Credit team which was supposed to sanction submitting that neither he has been named in the FIR nor any specific role attributed to him. The bail application is opposed by the State counsel assisted by Mr. Harish Sharma, counsel for the complainant submitting that the petitioner was instrumental in making intentional wrong field inspection report and has even surreptitiously hidden fake identity of the loanee and that the investigations are at crucial stage.

The prima facie allegations whereby the huge money of the bank having been usurped through dubious impersonation and fabrication of records of identity and the fact that the petitioner has failed to take essential steps to ensure the authenticity of the documents supporting the loan application are matters of serious misconduct. Without feeling the necessity to advert on to the merits and the fact that investigations are still under way and if allowed bail, the petitioner will stifle with the same impels this Court to decline the same. The present petition stands dismissed.

( Fateh Deep Singh ) September 14, 2015 Judge 'tiwana'

DALBIR SINGH TIWANA 2015.09.15 16:10 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh