IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) No. 547 of 2026 Reserved on: 16.04.2026 Date of Decision: 24.04.2026.

Prem Chand ...Petitioner Versus State of Himachal Pradesh ...Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No.

For the Petitioner : Mr Servedaman Rathour, Advocate.

For the Respondent : Mr. Lokender Kutlehria, Additional Advocate General.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioner has filed the present petition for Hseeking pre-arrest bail in FIR No. 14 of 2025, dated 07.04.2025, registered for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Police Station Sangrah, District Sirmour, H.P.

2. It has been asserted that, as per the prosecution, Panchayat Pradhan and Virender Singh, owner of M/s Shrigul

1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes.

Construction and Traders, had embezzled lakhs of rupees of the government fund provided for the development of Gram Panchayat Dana Ghato (Vikas Khand Sangrah) b.y forging bills and M-forms showing the transportation of sand and grits in motorcycles and Maruti cars. The amount was released to M/s