Charanjit Kaur And Another v. State Of Punjab And Another

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH (113) CRR No. 2380 of 2025 (O&M) Date of Decision: 25.9.2025 Charanjit Kaur and another ......Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and another .....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE KIRTI SINGH

Present:

Mr. Rituraj Singh, Advocate for the petitioners.

**** KIRTI SINGH , J. (ORAL) 1.

Challenge in the present revision petition is against the impugned order dated 11.9.2025 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Kapurthala, whereby in view of the order passed by this Court dated 4.9.2025, in CRR-1760-2025, the order dated 0606.2025 passed in the earlier application filed by the petitioners for release of their passport was modified, and the petitioners were directed to furnish the indemnity bonds of Rs. 15 lacs with one surety bond each.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners were falsely implicated in the instant case being the parents-in-law of the complainant, but were acquitted of all charges by the learned trial Court vide judgment dated 06.03.2025. Subsequent to their acquittal, the petitioner approached the learned trial Court for the release of their passports which was rejected being not maintainable since an appeal against their acquittal had been filed before the Appellate Court. Thereafter, an application was moved by the petitioners before the Appellate Court seeking the release of their passports, which was allowed by way of impugned order dated

-206.06.2025, albeit by imposing an onerous condition of furnishing of indemnity bond in the amount of Rs. 25 lakhs with one surety bond each. Being aggrieved from the said order, the petitioner approached this Court by way of CRR-1760-2025, which was disposed of on 04.9.2025, and the matter was remanded back to the learned Court concerned to decide the matter afresh within a period of two weeks. Learned counsel submits that in compliance of the above order, the Additional Sessions Judge, Kapurthala passed the impugned order dated 11.9.2025, whereby the petitioners were permitted to furnish the indemnity bonds for Rs. 15.00 lacs with one surety bond each. It is submitted that the condition so imposed is extremely harsh, and seeks either wavier of the said condition or reduction of the amount of indemnity bonds to a reasonable figure is prayed for. 3.

Notice of motion to the State-respondent No. 1 only at this stage. 4.

Mr. Gurpartap Singh Bhullar, AAG, Punjab waives service of notice on behalf of the respondent-State.

5.

Heard.

6.

A perusal of the judicial file reveals that the petitioners were acquitted in the FIR No. 90 dated 21.12.2023 lodged against them, an appeal against which is pending before the learned Appellate Court. During the pendency of the same, an application seeking the release of the passports was moved by the petitioners which was allowed on 6.6.2025, subject to the furnishing of indemnity bond in the amount of Rs.25 lakhs with one surety bond each. However, the said order was challenged before this Court by filing of CRR-1760-2025, and on 4.9.2025 the said petition was disposed of with a direction to the Court concerned to decide the matter afresh. Subsequently, vide impugned order dated 11.9.2025, the learned Appellate Court has directed the petitioners to furnish the indemnity bonds for the

-3amount of Rs. 15.00 lacs with one surety bond each. 7.

In the considered view of this Court, and given the fact that the petitioners were acquitted of all charges by the trial Court at the first instance, though the appeal against the said judgment is pending, the amount of Rs. 15.00 lacs is on the higher side. Therefore, this Court deems it appropriate to reduce the amount of indemnity bonds from Rs. 15.00 lacs to Rs. 5.00 lacs, with one surety bond each. In addition, the petitioners are required to place as collateral with the Court concerned, the registration papers of the following properties, owned by them as mentioned in the affidavit filed by them in CRR-1760-2025.

"(i) House No. 275, New Civil Lines, Hoshiarpur.

(ii) 5 Acres agricultural land in village Ahrana Kallan, Hoshiarpur.

8.

The petitioners are also directed to furnish an undertaking as directed in the order dated 6.6.2025 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Kapurthala.

9.

The petition stands disposed of accordingly.

10.

Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.

(KIRTI SINGH) JUDGE September 25, 2025 Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No