Gurmukhjit Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-40746-2025 (O&M) Date of decision: 11.03.2026 GURMUKHJIT SINGH ... Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY Present :

Mr. Pranav Handa, Advocate, for the petitioner. Ms. Gagandeep Kaur, DAG, Punjab.

Mr. BS Chahal, Advocate for the complainant.

**** AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (Oral) 1.

The present petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS, 2023, for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.86, dated 17.06.2024, under Sections 420, 120-B IPC and Section 13 of Punjab Travel Professionals (Regulation) Act, registered at Police Station Division B, District Amritsar.

2.

On 31.07.2025, the Co-ordinate Bench had passed the following order:- "The petitioner's counsel, on instructions, states that, without conceding or admitting the offence, the petitioner be given another chance, and the petitioner undertakes to reform and not to repeat the offence and he is ready to join investigation. He further submits that the arrest be stayed, and he would have no objection whatsoever to any stringent conditions that this Court may impose. Notice served upon the official respondent through the State's counsel. The Senior Most Investigator conducting the investigation in the FIR captioned above is to file/hand over the status report/instructions positively before the next date, failing which the concerned Superintendent of Police or an equivalent or higher Police Officer shall file/hand over their Reply/Response/Instructions/Status report by the extended date, and if it is still not filed, the concerned Inspector General of police shall have to file it.

The Reply/Response/Instructions/Status report shall also mention the following details under the following headings: A. The amount and/or value of the proceeds of crime involved in this FIR.

B. The amount and/or value of the proceeds of crime involved in this FIR attributed to the petitioner.

C. The amount/value of the proceeds of crime involved in this FIR, which have been recovered and/or frozen.

D. The amount/value of the proceeds of crime involved in this FIR, which have been recovered from the petitioner and/or frozen of the petitioner.

ASHOK KUMAR 2026.03.11 17:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M-40746-2025 (O&M) -2E. The evidence based on which the petitioner was arraigned as an accused.

F. The Evidence against the Petitioner.

G. The role of the petitioner.

H. Petitioner's criminal antecedents, except for the FIRs in which the petitioner was absolved, discharged, or acquitted. I. In case of dismissal of this petition, would the police arrest the petitioner in this FIR, and do they need the accused's police custody? Given the above, in the facts and circumstances peculiar to this case, in the meantime, the petitioner's arrest in the FIR captioned above shall remain stayed until further orders.

Let the petitioner join investigation on 5th and 6th August, 2025 and cooperate in the investigations to recover the money. It is clarified that the order of stay of arrest shall not be construed as an order of interim bail.

List on 02.09.2025."

3.

Learned counsel submits that in pursuance of the afore-mentioned order, the petitioner has not only joined investigation but also fully cooperated with the investigating agency. He further submits that in case the investigating agency requires the petitioner to appear, he shall make himself available without demur.

4.

Learned State counsel on instructions from the Investigating Officer affirms the factum of joining the investigation by the petitioner and cooperating with the investigating agency. She also submits that at this stage, the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation. 5.

In view of the above and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, anticipatory bail petition filed by the petitioner is allowed and the order dated 31.07.2025 granting interim bail to him, is hereby made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions as specified under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

6.

However, it is made clear that if the petitioner fails to join and cooperate with the investigating agency as and when required, the State would be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of the present anticipatory bail granted to him.

(AMAN CHAUDHARY) 11.03.2026 JUDGE ashok Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No ASHOK KUMAR 2026.03.11 17:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document