Gurmeet Singh v. State Of Punjab
-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH (159) Date of Decision: 30.3.2026 Gurmeet Singh ......Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab .....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE KIRTI SINGH
Present:
Mr. Gobind Singh Randhawa, Advocate for the petitioner.
Ms. Aakanksha Gupta, AAG, Punjab.
**** KIRTI SINGH , J. (ORAL) 1.
Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS'), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, in case FIR No. 118 dated 25.9.2025, under Sections 137(2) (offence under Sections 127(4), 127(6), 61(2), 87 of BNS and Section 8 of the POSO Act added later on), registered at Police Station Rangar Nangal, Police District Batala. 2.
On 11.12.2025, the following order was passed by a co-ordinate Bench of this Court:- "x x x x Learned counsel for petitioner submits that petitioner has not been named in present FIR. He was nominated solely on the basis of second disclosure statement made by co-accused Bhupinder Singh. He has nothing to do with commission of alleged offence. He is ready to join investigation.
Notice of motion.
On advance notice, Mr. Jasjit Singh Rattu, DAG, Punjab appears and accepts notice on behalf of State. Learned State
-2counsel submitted that alleged prosecutrix was about 14 years of age at the time of alleged occurrence. There are serious allegations of kidnapping the minor prosecutrix. He prays for an adjournment to file status report.
Considering the facts narrated in FIR, there is no valid reason to grant interim bail to petitioner. Let status report be filed by respondent- State on or before next date of hearing. Adjourned to 29.01.2026."
3.
Vide order dated 03.2.2026, the petitioner was directed to join investigation. The said order is reproduced hereinafter:- "Learned counsel representing State has already filed status report through Registry, which is taken on record. Copy of the same is furnished to learned counsel for petitioner.
Perusal of status report indicates that initially when the statement of complainant was recorded nobody was named as accused. Thereafter, supplementary statement was recorded in which Bhupinder Singh and Kulwinder Kaur were named as accused vide DDR No.28 dated 09.10.2025. Present petitioner is named in the disclosure statement of co-accused Bhupinder Singh and Kulwinder Kaur. He was nominated along with other coaccused vide DDR No.9 dated 11.10.2025. The main allegations are against Bhupinder Singh and Kulwinder Kaur.
Therefore, considering the aforesaid factual position, arrest of petitioner Gurmeet Singh is stayed till next date of hearing, subject to joining of investigation.
Adjourned to 30.03.2026.
Learned counsel representing State is directed to confirm, if the petitioner has joined and cooperated with the investigating agency."
4.
Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Palwinder Singh, submits that in compliance of order dated 03.2.2026, the petitioner has joined the investigation on 09.2.2026 and is not required for any further investigation.
5.
Having considered the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the petition is allowed. Order dated 03.2.2026 passed by this Court, is hereby
-3made absolute, subject to the condition enumerated under Section 482(2) BNSS.
6.
This order should not be treated as "blanket" order. It will not be read as granting the petitioner(s) 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. 7.
Liberty is reserved with the investigating agency/complainant to move to this Court for a direction under Section 483(3) of BNSS, 2023 (erstwhile Section 439(2) of Cr.P.C.), in the event of violation of any term, stipulated under Section 482(2) BNSS, or upon showing any other sufficient cause.
8.
Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.
(KIRTI SINGH) JUDGE March 30th, 2026 Gurpreet Singh Whether speaking/reasoned :
Yes/No Whether reportable :
Yes/No