Arshdeep Sngh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 1.

CRM-M-23055-2024 2.

CRM-M-23058-2024 3.

CRM-M-23063-2024 4.

CRM-M-23064-2024 5.

CRM-M-23065-2024 6.

CRM-M-23110-2024 Date of decision: August 13th, 2024 Arshdeep Singh .....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab .....Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL

Present:

Mr. Ranjeet Singh Chauhan, Advocate for Mr. B.S. Aulakh, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Navdeep Singh, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. MANJARI NEHRU KAUL, J. (ORAL) The instant petitions have been filed under Section 438 Cr.P.C. for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the following cases registered at Police Station City Faridkot:- (i) FIR No.228 dated 03.07.2023 under Sections 420, 406 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as 'IPC') and Section 13 of Punjab Travel Professionals (Regulation) Act, 2014;

(ii) FIR No.229 dated 03.07.2023 under Sections 420, 406 and 120-B of the IPC;

(iii) FIR No.243 dated 13.07.2023 under Sections 420 and 120B of the IPC and Section 13 of Punjab Travel Professionals

CRM-M-23055-2024 and other connected cases -2- (Regulation) Act, 2014;

(iv) FIR No.199 dated 04.06.2023 under Sections 420, 406, 465, 467, 471, 506 and 120-B of the IPC and Section 13 of Punjab Travel Professionals (Regulation) Act, 2014; (v) FIR No.238 dated 08.07.2023 under Sections 420 and 120B of the IPC and Section 13 of Punjab Travel Professionals (Regulation) Act, 2014;

(vi) FIR No.219 dated 26.06.2023 under Sections 420, 406 and 120-B of the IPC.

2.

While issuing notice of motion on 09.05.2024, following submissions of learned counsel for the petitioner were recorded:- "Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia contends that the petitioner was merely an employee of a travel agency, which had allegedly lured and duped the complainants into parting with huge amounts of money on the pretext of arranging for their travel abroad along with visa.

On a pointed query as to whether any amount stood deposited in the account of the petitioner, learned counsel has replied in the negative. He submits that all the money was given to the co-accused Deepak Sharma and his wife Shikha Sharma (owners of the travel agency) through bank transactions and not a single penny had been deposited in his account by the complainant-party."

3.

Thereafter, vide order dated 11.07.2024, the petitioner had been granted interim anticipatory bail with direction to join investigation.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of order dated 11.07.2024, the petitioner has joined investigation and cooperated with the investigating agency.

CRM-M-23055-2024 and other connected cases -35.

Learned State counsel, on instructions from ASI Raj Singh, 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 11.07.2024 is made absolute subject to the conditions laid down in Section 482(2) BNSS/438(2) of the Cr.P.C. 7.

Copy of this order be placed on the file of each of the connected cases.

August 13th, 2024 (MANJARI NEHRU KAUL) Puneet JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes Whether reportable :

No