Harpreet Singh @ Nobal v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH DECIDED ON: 19.02.2026 HARPREET SINGH @ NOBAL .....PETITIONER

VERSUS

STATE OF PUNJAB .....RESPONDENT

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH.

Present:

Mr. Jaskirat Singh Dhaliwal, Advocate, for Mr. Neeraj Jain, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab.

SANJAY VASHISTH , J (ORAL) 1.

On hearing counsel for the petitioner, on 17.12.2025, following order was passed by this Court:- "1.

On a call given by the High Court Bar Association, vide resolution dated 15.12.2025, lawyers are observing strike today also, and not appearing in the Court(s).

2.

Present petition has been filed by the petitioner, seeking grant of anticipatory bail, in case, FIR No.141, dated 05.09.2023, under Sections 420, 406, 120-B of IPC, registered at Police Station City 1, District Mansa.

3.

As per the allegations, complainant, Kulwinder Singh, was duped by the petitioner along with his co-accused, namely Nakul Sharma and Mukul Kumar, for an amount of Rs.25 lacs, which was received by them under the pretext of sending the complainant's son abroad. Name of the petitioner finds mention in the FIR, and an amount of Rs.6.5 lakhs was transferred into his bank account.

4.

One of the co-accused, Mukul Kumar, has been granted the concession of regular bail, vide order dated 09.07.2025 passed in CRM-M-16805-

-22025 (Annexure P-3). In the said order, it has already been noticed that the main accused, Nakul Sharma, in whose bank account the major portion of the amount was transferred, was yet to be arrested.

5.

A pertinent question thus arises as to why the said accused has been afforded such leverage by the concerned Investigating Officer, particularly when the FIR itself was registered more than two years ago, i.e., on 05.09.2023.

6.

Not only this, petitioner has also been afforded ample opportunity, yet during this entire process, he was never arrested. Rather, it is evident from the order dated 06.08.2025 passed by learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mansa, that petitioner has been declared a proclaimed offender.

7.

Another question that arises for consideration before this Court is as to how the present petition for anticipatory bail is maintainable, when the petitioner has failed to join the process of law and has already been declared a proclaimed offender on that account.

8.

Notice of motion for 08.01.2026.

9.

Let status report be filed by the learned State counsel, answering the questions posed by this Court here above in clear and specific terms. The concerned Investigating Officer shall also remain present before this Court on the next date of hearing." 2.

Learned State counsel has filed status report dated 07.01.2026 in the Court today and the same is taken on record. 3.

As per paragraph No.8 of the status report, co-accused namely Nakul Khurana was arrested on 06.07.2025, and petitioner, after being declared as proclaimed offender, by the court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mansa, vide order dated 06.08.2025, is now facing one more FIR No.128 dated 01.09.2025 under section 209 of BNS, Police Station City-1, Mansa. Even the look out circular has also been issued against the petitioner, through the competent authority.

-3For reference, paragraph No.8 of the status report is reproduced here under:- "8.

That further on dated 06.07.2025 the coaccused Nakul Khurana was arrested as per the legal procedure and all other legal formalities related to his arrest were completed. Further after seeking one day police remand he was sent to Judicial Custody on dated 08.07.2025. That further on dated 03.05.2025 the notice for proclamation has been issued by the Ld. Court for dated 19.07.2025 against Harpreet Singh. That further on dated 06.08.2025 the Petitioner Harpreet Singh was declared proclaimed offender by the learned court of Sh. Ravneet Singh CJM Mansa. That further after declaration of the present petitioner as PO by the learned Court and on the direction made by the learned Court to register FIR against the present petitioner under section 209 BNS, the FIR No. 128 dated 01.09.2025 under section 209 BNS City-1 Mansa was registered against the present petitioner. That additionally the Look Out Circular against the Petitioner Harpreet Singh has also been issued through competent authority."

4.

Faced with the situation, counsel for the petitioner seeks withdrawal of the present petition.

5.

Accordingly, present petition stands dismissed as withdrawn. (SANJAY VASHISTH) 19.02.2026 JUDGE Lavisha Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No