Reena Sohal v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision : January 24, 2024 REENA SOHAL -PETITIONER V/S STATE OF PUNJAB -RESPONDENT

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI

Present:

Mr. L.S. Mann, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Digvijay Nagpal, A.A.G., Punjab.

Mr. Pranav Gupta, Advocate for the complainant.

*** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1.

On 20.10.2023, this Court had passed the hereinafter extracted order, upon the instant petition:- "Prayer in this petition filed under Section 438 Cr.P.C. is for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR No.181 dated 04.09.2023, under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC, registered at Police Station Mandi Gobindgarh, District Fatehgarh Sahib. Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. The complainant herein is the mother in-law of petitioner's daughter. From the wedlock of son of complainant and daughter of the petitioner-accused, two children were born, in the year 2016 and 2018, respectively. The couple along with children are living in United Kingdom and on account of matrimonial discord, they are in litigation before the Family Court at West London. The above captioned FIR has been lodged to pressurize the petitioner's daughter to settle the matrimonial dispute. It is further submitted that petitioner's

daughter had been transferring amounts, through international remittances, to the complainant and her husband. The petitioner is ready to join investigation and cooperate with the investigating agency.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Amish Sharma, AAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State and waives service. He prays for time to file reply/status report.

At this stage, Mr. Pranav Gupta, Advocate, puts in appearance on behalf of the complainant and has filed his power of attorney, which is taken on record.

List on 14.12.2023.

In the meanwhile, petitioner shall join the investigation and would associate as and when called. In the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be admitted to interim bail on furnishing personal bond and surety to the satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall abide by the conditions specified in Section 438(2) Cr.P.C." 2.

Today, the learned State counsel, on instructions imparted to him by the official concerned, has stated that pursuant to the making of the hereinabove extracted order, the petitioner had joined investigation and he is no longer required for custodial interrogation. 3.

In view of the above, the hereinabove extracted interim order dated 20.10.2023, as made by this Court, is made hereby absolute, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Section 438(2) Cr.P.C. 4.

This order should not be treated as "blanket" order. It will not be read granting 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. 5.

Liberty is reserved in favour of State/complainant to move an

appropriate application for cancellation/recall of this order, in case the petitioner violates any of the conditions, as stipulated in Section 438(2) Cr.P.C., 1973, or, upon showing any other sufficient cause. 6.

Needless to say that anything observed hereinabove shall not be construed to be an opinion on the merits of the case. (KULDEEP TIWARI) January 24, 2024 JUDGE devinder Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether Reportable :

Yes/No