Manpreet Singh Alias Manni Alias Manpreet Singh Aujla v. State Of Punjab

CRM-M No.15786 of 2026 (O & M) -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ***** CRM-M No.15786 of 2026 (O & M) Date of decision : 7.5.2026 Date of uploading : 8.5.2026 Manpreet Singh @ Manni @ Manpreet Singh Aujla .............Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab .......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Navdeep Jain, Advocate, for Mr. Sunny K. Singla, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Hemant Aggarwal, DAG, Punjab --- SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL) 1.

On 1.4.2026, the following order was passed:

'CRM-14002-2026 For the reasons mentioned in the application, the same is allowed subject to all just exceptions. GD No.25 dated 20.02.2026 and MLR of petitioner and Bahadur Singh (Annexures P-3 and P-4) are taken on record. Main Case Petitioner, an accused in case FIR No.27 dated 17.02.2026, registered against him, for commission of offence punishable u/s 115(2), 118(1), 351(2), 3(5) BNS, at Police Station Sandaur, District Malerkotla, has prayed for grant of pre-arrest bail.

Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. Unexplained delay of 5 days in lodging the FIR reflects upon the falsity of the case set up by complainant and suggests that the facts have been concocted and a coloured version has been portrayed. Continuing further, learned counsel contends that in fact, the complainant party was the 'Aggressor', which fact is even apparent from a bare perusal of the FIR,

CRM-M No.15786 of 2026 (O & M) -2as per which the alleged incident occurred outside the shop of the present petitioner, who himself suffered multiple injuries, one of which declared as 'Grievous' in nature. Copy of the MLR of petitioner appended along with CRM14002-2026 has also been referred to by the learned counsel. Learned counsel next contends that even if the allegations as levelled in the FIR are presumed to be true at their face value (though not admitted), the injuries attributed to the petitioner have been declared as 'Simple' in nature (which fact has been disclosed by learned State counsel in the Court). Learned counsel further contends that petitioner is willing to join the investigation as and when called for by the IO.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Kamalpreet Bawa, DAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondentState and seeks time to file detailed status report. Adjourned to 07.05.2026.

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.).'

2.

Learned State counsel (on instructions) submits that pursuant to the order dated 1.4.2026, the petitioner has joined investigation and is no longer required for custodial interrogation.

3.

In view of the above, the instant petition is allowed. Interim order dated 1.4.2026, passed by this Court is made absolute, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Section 482(2) of BNSS. 4.

This order should not be treated as "blanket" order. It will not be read granting petitioner indefinite protection from arrest. It shall be confined to the FIR mentioned ibid and will not operate in respect of any other incident that involves commission of an offence. 5.

Liberty is reserved in favour of State/complainant to move for cancellation/recall of this order in case the petitioner violates any

CRM-M No.15786 of 2026 (O & M) -3condition stipulated under Section 482(2) of BNSS or upon showing any other sufficient cause.

6.

Needless to say that anything observed herein above shall not be construed to be an opinion on the merits of the case. 7.

Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stand disposed of accordingly.

(SUMEET GOEL) JUDGE 7.5.2026 Ashwanii Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No