Satish Kumar v. State Of Punjab
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH Decided on : 20.08.2025 Satish Kumar . . . Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab . . . Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH PRESENT: Mr. Achin Gupta, Advocate and Mr. Karan Bansal, Advocate for the petitioner.
Mr. Manjinder S. Bhullar, DAG, Punjab.
Mr. Surinder Garg, Advocate for the complainant.
**** SANJAY VASHISTH , J. (Oral) 1.
Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438 Cr.P.C.), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed here-under:- Name of Petitioner (s) FIR No.
Date Section(s) Police Station District Satish Kumar
2.
On 21.04.2025, following order was passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court:- "
Petitioner is seeking the concession of anticipatory bail in FIR No.204 dated 13.09.2024 under Sections 318/61 of the BNS, 2023, registered at Police Station City Kotkapura, District Faridkot.
Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegations against the petitioner are false and baseless. It is contended that the complainant has falsely alleged that the petitioner induced him to part with a sum of Rs.4 lakh on the pretext of facilitating the sanction of a loan from the State Bank of India,
- 2 - purportedly using his influence as a private agent of the said bank. It is argued that the allegations are exaggerated, and that the petitioner has been wrongly portrayed as having impersonated a public official to mislead the complainant and misappropriate the said amount. Learned counsel further points out that there is an unexplained delay of two years in reporting the matter to the police, which casts serious doubt on the credibility of the prosecution version and suggest a concocted and afterthought narrative. Notice of motion.
On the asking of the Court, Mr. Kunwarbir Singh, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the respondent. Mr. Surinder Garg, Advocate, has entered appearance on behalf of the complainant and filed his power of attorney, which is taken on record. Adjourned to 13.05.2025.
Learned State counsel is directed to file reply on or before the next date of hearing with a copy in advance to the counsel opposite." 3.
On 13.05.2025, following order was passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court:- "
Prayer in this petition is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.204 dated 13.09.2024 under Sections 318/61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 registered at Police Station City Kotkapura, District Faridkot. Reply by way of affidavit of Jatinder Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub-Division Kotkapura, District Faridkot, on behalf of the respondent-State, has been filed in the Court today which is taken on record subject to all just exceptions. A copy of the same has been supplied to the counsel opposite.
On a pointed query put to the learned State counsel, it has not been disputed that the entire case of the prosecution rests only on documentary evidence which is already in the custody of the prosecution. It has also not been disputed that the petitioner is not involved in any other criminal case much less a case of similar nature.
Adjourned to 20.08.2025.
Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation and appear before the investigating agency as and when called upon to do so. In the event of his arrest, he shall be admitted to interim bail on his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall abide by the terms and conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of the BNSS." 4.
Continuing his submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner contends that in compliance of the orders dated 13.05.2025, passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court, petitioner has joined the investigation, and has fully co-operated. Therefore, he prays for confirmation of the said
- 3 - interim anticipatory bail order.
5.
Learned State counsel submitted that in compliance of direction issued by this Court, petitioner has already joined investigation on 17.06.2025, and as of now, he is not required for the purpose of custodial interrogation.
6.
Heard learned counsel for the parties.
7.
Since, petitioner has already joined the investigation and custodial interrogation is no more required; ad-interim bail order dated 13.05.2025, passed by this Court is hereby made absolute. Accordingly, present petition is allowed.
However, petitioner shall continue to join the investigation as and when required to do so and abide by all the terms and conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.
8.
Accordingly, petition stands disposed of.
(SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE August 20, 2025 Vishal Vardhan Whether speaking/reasoned:
Yes/No Whether Reportable:
Yes/No