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High Court of Punjab and HaryanaCRM-M/65694/2025disposed of

Asha Rani v. State Of Haryana

2025-12-22Ms. Justice Rupinderjit Chahal3 pages

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-65694-2025 DECIDED ON 22.12.2025 ASHA RANI ....Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF HARYANA ....Respondent CORAM:- HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL

Present:

Mr. Vinod Ghai, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Namit Khurana, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Mohit Chaudhary, AAG, Haryana.

***** RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J. (ORAL) 1.

Present petition has been filed under Section 482 of BNSS for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in FIR No.838 dated 04.11.2025 under Sections 318(4) of BNS (Sections 338, 336(3), 340(2), 316(5) of BNS 2023 added later on), registered at Police Station Karnal City District Karnal, Haryana.

2.

On 28.11.2025, following order had been passed: - "Asha Rani (petitioner in CRM-M-65694-2025) and Yashpal Kumar (petitioner in CRM-M-66582-2025) have filed their respective petitions, for grant of anticipatory bail, in case, FIR No.838, dated 04.11.2025, under Sections 318(4) of BNS and Sections 338, 336(3), 340(2), 316(5) of BNS (added later on), registered at Police Station Karnal City, District Karnal. 2.

Petitioner - Asha Rani who is posted as Secretary of Market Committee, Karnal, and Yashpal Kumar, who is petitioner in CRM-M66582-2025, was posted as an Auction Recorder at Market Committee, Taraori, and was also given additional charge of Karnal. As per the prosecution version, both of them allegedly failed to discharge their duties effec-

-2tively in the process of issuing gate passes for entry into the Mandi area.

3.

In compliance of the order dated 20.11.2025 passed in CRM-M-65694-2025, learned State counsel has filed status report dated 27.11.2025 (in CRM-M-65694-2025) in the Court today and the same is taken on record. Registry is directed to tag the same at the appropriate place on the file. Copy thereof has already been supplied to counsel for the petitioner. 4.

Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner-Asha Rani, refers to the list of notified persons authorized to issue passes, as contained in letter No.2224 dated 28.10.2025 (Annexure P5). The said list indicates that it was prepared on the basis of a telephonic message received from the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Karnal, regarding the engagement of staff during the Kharif season. On this basis, it is submitted that petitioner's role was limited of deputing personnel for the purpose of issuing passes, and she had no direct involvement in selecting the individuals in whose favour the gate passes were ultimately issued. 5.

Additionally, Mr. SPS Aulakh, Advocate, counsel for the petitioner - Yashpal Kumar, also submits that petitioner being an auction recorder has no role in issuance of the gate passes, which were issued from addresses outside Karnal and linked to three contract-based individuals. Even the petitioner has not been named in the FIR.

6.

Adjourned to 22.12.2025.

7.

Meanwhile, the petitioner(s) in both the cases, are directed to join the investigation as and when required to do so by the Investigating Agency. In the event of their arrest, the petitioners shall be released on ad-interim bail, subject to their furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. The petitioners shall also abide by all the conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.).

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Besides, it is directed that petitioners would hand over their passport to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if they possess. Otherwise, would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that they do not possess any passport. It is also directed that before leaving country any time during trial, petitioners would seek prior permission of the Court. 9.

A photocopy of this order be placed on the file of other connected case ."

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the order dated 28.11.2025 passed by co-ordinate bench of this Court, the petitioner has joined the investigation.

4.

Learned counsel for the State, on instructions from DSP Rajiv Kumar, has submitted that the petitioner has joined the investigation and is no longer required for further investigation. 5.

In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the interim order dated 28.11.2025 is made absolute. The petitioner shall continue to join investigation, as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under Section 482(2) of the BNSS.

(RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL) 22.12.2025 JUDGE Poonam i) Whether speaking/reasoned?

Yes/No ii) Whether reportable?

Yes/No