Manjot Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE E PUNJAB AND HARYANA H HIGH COURT AT CHANDIGARH 203(1) CRM- Date -M-19726-2026 (O&M) of decision: 27.05.2026 gh V/S njab Manjot Sing State of Pun CORAM: H

Present:

...Petitioner

...Respondent

HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHAL LINI SINGH NAGPAL Mr. Viren Sibal, Advocate and Mr. Shayon Sen, Advocate for th he petitioner.

Mr. Akash Yadav, AAG, Punjab b.

Mr. A.K. Khunger, Advocate fo or the complainant.

**** SHALINI SI INGH NAGPAL J. (Oral) 1.

Petitioner seeks anticipatory b bail in FIR No.1 dated 18.02.2026 under Sections 354-C, 376 I IPC, Section 6 of The Protection o f Children from Sexual Offenc ces (POCSO) Act, 2012, Sections 75( (2), 308(2), 351 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (B.N.S.), 2023 and Sec ction 67 of the Information Tech hnology Act, 2000, Police Station NRI I, Bathinda, Punjab. This is s the first petition for anticipatory b bail.

2.

While granting interim bail o on 29.04.2026, following order was pa ssed by this Court:- "Petitioner seeks anticip patory bail in FIR No.1 dated 18.02.2026 under Sections ns 354-C, 376 IPC, Section

-26 of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Sections 75(2), 308(2), 351 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (B.N.S.), 2023 and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Police Station NRI, Bathinda, Punjab. This is the first petition for anticipatory bail.

Case was registered on complaint of prosecutrix, an NRI, living in Canada. She stated that she was in relationship with one Lovejot Singh, who was her co-student in school. Her parents were against their relationship but he messaged her everyday and made persistent requests, whereupon she started to date him. After school, she was staying in P.G. at Bathinda, where she used to attend classes. Lovejot Singh forced her to meet him in a hotel and established forcible physical relations with her in September 2023. At that time, she was 17 years of age, while he was an adult. When she shifted to Canada, he and his mother were still talking to her and Lovejot Singh promised to come to Canada. His relatives also forced her to call him abroad. She paid for his file work and also spent around ₹9,00,000/-, whereafter they started speaking foul, blaming her for refusal of Visa. His relatives started asking her for money and spoke to her in vulgar language. She sent them expensive gifts. He got an offer letter from Vancouver

-3but he refused saying that he would not go anywhere else. Now, they were claiming that they did not have any money for study permit and tuition fee. His parents were refusing to send him to Canada for lack of money. When she spoke with him, he replied that he would make obscene pictures of their sexual activities viral. The accused was sexually and mentally harassing her, his relatives were sending vulgar messages and she was in depression.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner was the cousin brother (Mama's son) of the main accused-Lovejot Singh. He further submits that prosecutrix had an affair with Lovejot Singh. She was in Canada for the last two years and wanted Lovejot Singh to join her, but when he could not do so, she got the case registered, levelling all sorts of allegations against him and his brothers. The only allegation against the petitioner was that he was threatening to make obscene pictures from AI and leak them on social media. Learned State counsel has filed status report by way of affidavit of Yogesh Kumar, PPS, Superintendent of Police, NRI Wing, Patiala, on behalf of respondentState of Punjab and opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail arguing that investigation of the case was still underway. Petitioner had been sending threatening

-4messages to the complainant. Pen drive containing audio of threats was taken into police possession. Considering the serious nature of allegations, custodial interrogation of the petitioner was required.

Learned counsel for respondent No. 2 also opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail arguing that petitioner got an amount of ₹9,00,000/- transferred in the account of co-accused Lovejot Singh and allegations against the petitioner were serious.

List again on 27.05.2025.

In the facts and circumstances of the case, in the event of arrest, petitioner shall be released on interim anticipatory bail subject to his furnishing personal and surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting/Investigating Officer. Petitioner shall join investigation as and when called upon to do so and shall abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023." 3.

Vide order dated 29.04.2026 passed by this Court, the petitioner was granted interim bail and was directed to join investigation.

4.

Learned State counsel, on instructions from Investigating Officer opposed the anticipatory bail on the ground that sufficient

-5evidence has been collected to connect the petitioner with the offence of transmitting obscene messages to the prosecutrix. 5.

Learned counsel for the complainant has also opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail on the ground that on 25.05.2026, father of the petitioner made a call to the prosecutrix asking her to compromise the matter.

6.

Petitioner has joined investigation pursuant to order of this Court dated 29.04.2026. In the circumstances of the case but without commenting on merits, the petition is allowed and order dated 29.04.2026, granting interim anticipatory bail to the petitioner, is made absolute, subject to the conditions laid down in Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. (SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL) 27.05.2026 JUDGE Kapil Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No