Lovepreet Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 118-3 CRM-M-72534-2025 (O&M) Date of decision: 25.03.2026 LOVEPREET SINGH ... Petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY Present :

Mr. Aryan Sharma, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Manipal Singh Atwal, DAG, Punjab.

**** AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (Oral) 1.

The present petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS, 2023, for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.158, dated 21.06.2022, under Sections 406, 409, 420, 120-B IPC and 13(1)(A) of the PC Act as amended by the Prevention of Corruption Act (Amendment) 2018, registered at Police Station Guru Harsahai.

2.

On 13.01.2026, this Court had passed the following order:- "Learned counsel contends that the petitioner as also one Surinder Kumar, as a matter of fact, had about a month before lodging the FIR, sent complaints to the MD Markfed on 12.05.2022 and 29.05.2022 stating therein that the District Manager-Sachin, complainant in the present case and Lovepreet Singh have colluded with each other, by misappropriating the bags of wheat from godown at night and there was a recorded conversation with regard to the same. The aforesaid co-accused has since been granted the interim bail by this Court, vide order dated 07.11.2025, Annexure P3. It is after a period of more than 3 years that the investigating agency has sought to arrest the petitioner regarding which reference is made to SLP (Crl.) No.11234/2025 titled as 'Gursewak Singh vs. State of Punjab', decided on 03.09.2025. The petitioner is not involved in any other case; ready and willing to join the investigation as and when required by the investigating agency and will cooperate.

Notice of motion.

At the asking of the Court, accepts notice on behalf of respondentState. Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation on or before 17.01.2026. In the event of his arrest, he shall be released on interim bail to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, subject to compliance of conditions as enshrined under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

ASHOK KUMAR 2026.03.25 19:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRM-M-72534-2025 (O&M) -2- However, it is clarified that if the petitioner does not join and cooperate with the Investigating Agency as required by the Arresting/Investigating Officer, this interim order shall be deemed to have been vacated.

Adjourned to 28.01.2026.

To be heard alongwith CRM-M-69049-2025."

3.

Learned counsel submits that in pursuance of the afore-mentioned order, the petitioner has not only joined investigation but also fully cooperated with the investigating agency. He further submits that in case the investigating agency requires the petitioner to appear, he shall make himself available without demur.

4.

Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Baldev Raj affirms the factum of joining the investigation by the petitioner and cooperating with the investigating agency. He also submits that at this stage, the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation. 5.

In view of the above and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, anticipatory bail petition filed by the petitioner is allowed and the order dated 13.01.2026 granting interim bail to him, is hereby made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions as specified under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

6.

However, it is made clear that if the petitioner fails to join and cooperate with the investigating agency as and when required, the State would be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of the present anticipatory bail granted to him.

(AMAN CHAUDHARY) 25.03.2026 JUDGE ashok Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No ASHOK KUMAR 2026.03.25 19:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document