Kuldeep Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-17373-2025 Date of decision: May 8th, 2025 Kuldeep Singh .....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab .....Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL

Present:

Mr. S.K. Garg Narwana, Senior Advocate with Mr. Vishal Garg Narwana and Mr. Mukul Ahuja, Advocates for the petitioner.

Mr. Amit Rana, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. MANJARI NEHRU KAUL, J. (ORAL) Prayer in this petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in FIR No.17 dated 10.03.2025 under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of the IPC and Section 7A of The Prevention of Corruption Act, registered at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Patiala.

2.

While issuing notice of motion on 28.03.2025, following submissions of learned senior counsel for the petitioner were recorded:- "Learned senior counsel for the petitioner, inter alia, argues that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case, for allegedly conniving with public officials in issuing registration certificates based on forged documents. While drawing the attention of this Court to the FIR, annexed as Annexure P-1, learned senior counsel contends that it does not disclose the essential ingredients of the offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. It is specifically PUNEET SACHDEVA 2025.05.08 14:49 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

CRM-M-17373-2025 -2asserted that the petitioner, a private individual, has neither interacted with nor bribed any public servant. Furthermore, learned senior counsel submits that the petitioner's firm is solely engaged in the scrap business and cannot be held liable for any alleged alteration in the nature of the scrap after its sale. It is also argued that the petitioner neither prepared nor presented any forged bill before any registration authority."

3.

Thereafter, vide order dated 01.05.2025, the petitioner had been granted interim anticipatory bail with direction to join investigation.

4.

Learned senior counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of order dated 01.05.2025, the petitioner has joined investigation and cooperated with the investigating agency. 5.

Learned State counsel, on instructions, does not dispute the factum of the petitioner having joined investigation and cooperated with the investigating agency. He, on further instructions, submits that the petitioner is not required for further investigation much less for his custodial interrogation.

6.

In view of the above, the petition is allowed and interim order dated 01.05.2025 is made absolute subject to the conditions laid down in Section 438(2) Cr.P.C./482(2) BNSS.

May 8th, 2025 (MANJARI NEHRU KAUL) Puneet JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No PUNEET SACHDEVA 2025.05.08 14:49 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh