Balraj Singh v. State Of Punjab

- 1 -

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Decided on : 23.03.2026 Balraj Singh . . . Petitioner(s)

Versus

State of Punjab . . . Respondent(s)

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH PRESENT: Mr. Rajbir Singh, Advocate for the petitioner(s).

Mr. Manjinder S. Bhullar, Sr. DAG, Punjab.

Mr. Dhiraj Jindal, Advocate for the complainant(s).

**** SANJAY VASHISTH , J. (Oral) 1.

Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438 Cr.P.C.), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed hereunder:- Name & age of Petitioner (s) FIR No.

Date Section(s) Police Station District Balraj Singh, aged 64 years 18.11.2025 420 of IPC Bhawanigarh Sangrur 2.

In the present case, on 04.12.2025, following order was passed:- "2.

On oral request made by counsel for the petitioner, complainant namely Rajinder Singh son of Dalip Singh, resident of Village Balad Kalan, Tehsil Bhawanigarh, District Sangrur (mobile No.99159-33506), is ordered to be impleaded as respondent No.2 in the present petition.

Let amended memo of parties be filed by counsel for the petitioner in the Registry, within a period of two days from today, without moving any separate application.

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia, contends, that

- 2 - as per FIR, respondent No.2/complainant had paid an amount of Rs.23,78,635/- into the petitioner's bank account, even though the total agreed consideration was Rs.35,11,000/-.

It is further submitted that on 12.09.2025, parties had amicably settled their dispute, and in terms of the said settlement (Anneuxure P-2), petitioner had agreed to return an amount of Rs.24 lacs to respondent No.2/complainant. However, complainant subsequently backed out of the compromise and, instead, got the present FIR registered merely to exert pressure on the petitioner and his family members. It is also pointed out that a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act has been filed against the petitioner. 3.

Counsel for the petitioner further submits that, in order to demonstrate his bona fide, petitioner is willing to abide by the settlement dated 12.09.2025, if complainant is agreeable, and he is also ready to pay an amount of Rs.8 lacs to the complainant, within a period of ten days from today, if an opportunity is granted by this Court along with protection from arrest. Thus, counsel prays for grant of concession of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the present case. 4.

Notice of motion.

5.

On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab, puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent - State, and Mr. Dhiraj Jindal, Advocate, puts an appearance on behalf of the complainant. 6.

Adjourned to 15.12.2025.

To be shown in the urgent list.

7.

However, petitioner is directed to pay an amount of Rs.8 lacs to the complainant/respondent No.2 on or before the next date of hearing, and if he so desires, he may bring a demand draft of the said amount before this Court on the next date of hearing, which to be handed over to respondent No.2/complainant, in Court. 8.

Meanwhile, petitioner shall not be arrested. However, issue of joining of investigation by the petitioner would be examined on the next date of hearing."

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner further argues that an amount of Rs.8.00 lakhs was paid by learned counsel for the petitioner to learned counsel for the complainant earlier, and the said fact has even been recorded in the order dated 15.12.2025. Thereafter, the hearing of the present case was

- 3 - deferred to 23.03.2026, i.e., today, for payment of the balance amount to the complainant.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner could not arrange the amount and, therefore, he be granted some more time to honour his earlier statement made before this Court. 5.

Heard.

6.

In view of the stand taken by learned counsel for the petitioner today before this Court, the instant petition is disposed of with a direction to pay the balance amount of Rs.16.00 lakhs within a period of 10 weeks from today, failing which, or immediately thereafter, the petitioner shall join the investigation with the Investigating Officer. However, it is made clear that in case the said amount is not paid on or before 08.06.2026, it shall be open for the Investigating Officer to arrest the petitioner in accordance with law. 7.

Besides, petitioner is also directed to join the investigation within two weeks from today, or as and when called by the investigating agency, and in the eventuality of the arrest, petitioner would be released on anticipatory bail, subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. The petitioner shall also be abide by all the conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.).

8.

It is further directed that petitioner would hand over his passport to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if he possesses. Otherwise, would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that he does not possess any passport.

- 4 - It is also directed that before leaving country any time during trial, petitioner would seek prior permission of the Court. 9.

With the aforementioned directions, issued here above, present petition stands disposed of.

Pending misc. application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE March 23, 2026 J.Ram Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether Reportable:

Yes/No