Kiran Bala v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 206-1 Date of Decision: 07.08.2025 KIRAN BALA

...Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB

...Respondent

CORAM:

HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE KIRTI SINGH Present:- Mr. Vaibhav Narang, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Aakanksha Gupta, AAG Punjab.

Mr. Ankit Bhardwaj, Advocate for complainant. ***** KIRTI SINGH , J. (Oral) 1.

Apprehending his arrest the petitioner has filed this petition under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail in case bearing FIR No.178 dated 13.11.2024, under Sections 80 and 3(5) (added later on vide DDR No.34 dated 07.02.2025) of BNS 2023, registered at Police Station B Division, District Amritsar. 2.

This Court while issuing notice of motion on 05.06.2025 passed the following order:- "Learned counsel for the petitioner(s) inter alia contends that the general allegations of harassment and alleged demand of dowry have been levelled in the instant petition(s). The petitioner(s) have been falsely implicated in the present case(s), who are mother-inlaw and brother-in-law (Jeth) respectively of the deceasedRamanpreet Kaur @ Komal. He contends a distorted version has been made a basis for registration of the FIR in question. As a matter of fact, the whatsapp chat of deceased with her husband namely-Kanav (in custody) clearly shows that she had undergone nose surgery at her parental home and that she was not happy with that.

Attention of this Court is drawn toward the messages sent by the deceased which reflect that she was badly disturbed on account of her vanity and appearance. He further submits that she committed suicide at her parental home.

stayed at her matrimonial home. He further submits that nothing is to be recovered from the petitioners and that they are ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called for and to extend all cooperation to the Investigating Agency.

Short reply in CRM-M-27189-2025 by way of affidavit dated 22.05.2025 along with Annexure on behalf of respondent(s)-State has been filed today in the Court and the same is taken on record. Copy thereof has been furnished to the learned counsel for the petitioner(s). Registry is directed to tag the same at an appropriate place.

Memorandum of appearance(s) on behalf of the complainant has been filed today in the Court and the same are taken on record. Registry is directed to tag the same at appropriate places with page marking.

Adjourned to 07.08.2025.

In the meanwhile, the petitioner(s) are directed to join investigation as and when so required by the Investigating Agency. In the event of the petitioner(s) joining investigation, they shall be admitted to interim bail by the arresting officer/investigating officer on their furnishing of bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the arresting officer/investigating officer. The petitioner(s) shall also abide by the conditions as specified under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) of 2023. A photocopy of this order be placed on the file of connected case."

3.

Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Sukhwinder Singh submits that in compliance of order dated 05.06.2025, the petitioner has joined the investigation and is not required for any further investigation. 4.

Having considered the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the petition is allowed. Order dated 05.06.2025 passed by this Court, is hereby made absolute.

5.

This order should not be treated as "blanket" order. It will not be read granting the petitioner indefinite protection from arrest. It shall be confined to the FIR mentioned ibid and will not operate in respect of any other incident that involves commission of an offence. 6.

This order does not in any manner limit or restrict the rights or duties of the police or investigating agency to investigate into the charges against the petitioner.

7.

The accused/petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the

case so as to dissuade him or her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer.

8.

The accused/petitioner shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court.

9.

The accused/petitioner shall join the investigation as and when called by the police.

10.

It will be open to the police or the investigating agency to move to this Court for a direction under Section 483(3) of BNSS (erstwhile Section 439(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973) to arrest the accused, in the event of violation of any term, such as absconding, noncooperating during investigation, evasion, intimidation or inducement to witnesses with a view to influence outcome of the investigation or trial. Pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of accordingly.

(KIRTI SINGH) 07.08.2025 JUDGE Kavita Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No