Harpreet Singh @ Nobal v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 201-2 CRM-M-23613-2026 Date of Decision: 27.05.2026 HARPREET SINGH @ NOBAL

...Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB

...Respondent

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH ****

Present:

Mr. Neeraj Jain , Advocate for the petitioner(s).

Mr. Manjinder S. Bhullar, DAG, Punjab.

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 hereunder:- Name of Petitioner (s) FIR No. Date Section(s) Police Station District Harpreet Singh @ Nobal 01.09.2025 209 of BNS 2023 (174-A IPC, 1860) City 1 Mansa 2.

On 15.05.2026, following order was passed:- "1.

Present petition has been filed by the petitioner - Harpreet Singh @ Nobal, seeking grant of anticipatory bail, in case, FIR No.128, dated 01.09.2025, under Section 209 of BNS (corresponding to section 174-A of IPC), registered at Police Station City 1, District Mansa.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that initially, FIR No.141 dated 05.09.2023 (supra) was registered against the petitioner along with the co-accused, namely Nakul Sharma and Mukul Kumar, on the allegations that they had duped the complainant, Kulwinder Singh, of an amount of Rs.25 lakhs, on the pretext of sending the complainant's son abroad. It is alleged that an

CRM-M-23613-2026 (2) amount of Rs.6.5 lakhs was transferred into the bank account of the petitioner.

Counsel further submits that petitioner is not the principal accused in the present case and was merely employed by the coaccused persons. It is contended that the aforesaid amount of Rs.6.5 lakhs came to be credited into the petitioner's bank account only on account of such employment and at the instance of the co-accused. 3.

It is further submitted that after registration of FIR, petitioner could not appear before the Investigating Officer and consequently, he was declared a proclaimed person vide order dated 06.08.2025 passed by learned Court below. Pursuant thereto, FIR No.128 dated 01.09.2025 was registered against the petitioner under Section 174A IPC (corresponding to Section 209 of the BNS). Thus, petitioner has also sought the concession of anticipatory bail in the present FIR.

4.

Notice of motion.

5.

On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab, puts an appearance on behalf of the respondent/State. 6.

Since the order dated 06.08.2025 passed by learned Court below, whereby petitioner was declared a proclaimed person, has been set aside, vide order of even date passed in CRM-M-259612026, subject to payment of costs of Rs.20,000/- and with a further direction that he be released on bail upon his appearance before the Court concerned, it is directed that in the present case as well, that in the event, petitioner appears before the Court concerned onorbefore26.05.2026, he shall be released on interim bail, subject to his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court/ Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Illaqa Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate concerned, if not required in any other case. 7.

List again on 27.05.2026."

3.

Continuing his submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner contends that in compliance of the order dated 15.05.2026 passed by this Court, petitioner has joined the investigation and has fully co-operated. It is further submitted that petitioner has also furnished bail bonds before the trial Court and has been released bail. Therefore, he prays for confirmation of the said interim anticipatory bail order.

4.

Learned State counsel confirms the said averment made by counsel for the petitioner of joining the investigation by the petitioner, and submits that as of now, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required for the purpose of investigation.

5.

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

CRM-M-23613-2026 (3) 6.

Since, petitioner has already joined the investigation and custodial interrogation is no more required; ad-interim bail order dated 15.05.2026 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.

7.

Accordingly, petition stands disposed of.

(SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE May 27, 2026 Nisha-1 Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No