IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Lovepreet Singh @ Shikari ……Petitioner(s)

Versus State of Punjab ……Respondent(s)

Decided on : 30.01.2026 Date of uploading: 30.01.2026 CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Shakti Mehta, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Adhiraj Singh, AAG, Punjab.

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SUMEET GOEL, J. (Oral)

1. Present petition has been filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (hereinafter to be referred as ‘the BNSS’) for grant of pre-arrest/anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case bearing FIR No.0141 dated 21.07.2025, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 126 (2), 115(2), 118(1), 351(2), 191(3), 190 of BNS 2023, at Police Station Civil Lines Patiala, District Patiala.

2. The gravamen of the FIR in question reflects that the present FIR was registered at the instance of the complainant-Gursewak Singh resident of village Jahla, District Patiala, who in his statement made to the police has stated that on 18.07.2025, after serving food and attending to the uncle of his friend Prince at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, he boarded a private bus from Samana Chungi to go towards his village. When the bus reached near Rajindra Hospital Medical College at about 2:00 PM, some unknown persons came in front of the bus and forcibly stopped it. One of them called out his name and said, “Kalu, get down from the bus,” and thereafter forcibly made him alight from the bus. He stated that among the assailants, he recognized the present petitioner and Chamkaur, resident of village Saiwal; Bhatti and his brother Raju, residents of village Tauhra, who surrounded him. He further stated that the petitioner (herein) gave a kirpan blow on his head, causing an injury on the right side of his head. Chamkaur also inflicted a kirpan blow, and when he raised his right arm to save himself, the blow struck two fingers of his right hand. He further stated that thereafter Raju, who was also armed with a kirpan, repeatedly attacked him on his head, and when he tried to defend himself with his left hand, the fingers of his left hand were also grievously cut by the kirpan. He stated that due to the injuries, he fell on the ground. He further stated that along with the aforesaid persons, two or three other unknown persons also assaulted him by giving kicks and fist blows and by striking him with sticks, as a result of which he sustained serious injuries. He has further alleged that the motive behind the assault is previous enmity, as earlier in the year 2024, a quarrel had taken place between them near the Old Bus Stand, Patiala. On account of the said grudge, the above-named accused attacked him and caused the present injuries. He further stated that he was admitted to the hospital for treatment by one Gogi, resident of neighbouring village Barsat. Upon these set of allegations, the present FIR came to be registered against the accused persons.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is an innocent person and has been falsely implicated in the present case at the behest of the complainant who is having previous grudge with the petitioner. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submits that there is an inordinate delay of 3 days in lodging of the FIR. It is further submitted that the similarly situated co-accused, namely Chamkaur Singh, has already been granted the concession of anticipatory bail and on this ground of parity as well, the petitioner is entitled to the grant of anticipatory bail. Learned counsel asserts that the in the instant case, the FIR fails to include material facts, which further raised questions about its credibility and fairness. Moreover, the custodial interrogation should not be used as a punitive measure and is justified only when absolutely necessary for the recovery of material evidence. Furthermore, the petitioner is ready to join the investigation and hence no useful purpose would be served by sending him behind the bars. It i