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219 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH

CRM-M-6140-2026 Date of Decision: 24.03.2026

Date of Uploading: 25.03.2026

Manjeet Singh Nagi @ Manjit Singh …..Petitioner.

Versus State of Punjab and another

.....Respondents.

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL

*****

Present:- Mr. Umesh Aggarwal, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Jaypreet Singh, DAG, Punjab.

Mr. Avinash Singh, Advocate for respondent No.2-complainant.

SUMEET GOEL, J.(Oral)

Present petition has been filed under Section 482 of the BNSS,

2023 for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, in case FIR No.118 dated 05.09.2025, under Sections 420 and 120-B of IPC & Section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professionals (Regulations) Act, 2014, registered at

Police Station Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar.

On 24.02.2026, the following order was passed:

“Status report by way of affidavit of Gurdeep Singh, PPS, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Airport), Amritsar City has been filed in Court today. The same be kept on record. Copy thereof has been fumished to learned counsel for

the petitioner.

Inter alia, contends that the petitioner was merely

YAG DUTT

2026.03.25 09:52 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document

CRM-M-6140-2026 -2-

known to one Harpal (who was owning/running the immigration agency); the petitioner has indeed received some money from the FIR-complainant but the same was transferred to said Harpal & the petitioner is willing to join

investigation and cooperate therein.

Put up on 24.3.2026.

The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer on 5.3.2026 at 11:00 AM in concerned Police Station and join investigation. In the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on interim bail subject to his furnishing personal/surety boud(s) to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer/Investigating Officer. As and when further called by Investigating Officer, the petitioner shall join the investigation. He shall abide by the condition(s) enumerated under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita,

2023.”

2. Learned State counsel, on instructions from ACP Gurdeep Singh, submits that pursuant to the order dated 24.02.2026, the petitioner has joined investigation and his custodial interrogation is not required

except for recovering the money in question.

3. Learned counsel for respondent No.2-complainant has submitted that there are direct/serious allegations against the petitioner and in case, he is extended the concession of anticipatory bail, there is all likelihood that he may abscond from the process of justice as also interfere in prosecution evidence. Learned counsel for the complainant has further submitted that the money in question is yet to be recovered from the

petitioner & hence, he has sought for dismissal of the petition in hand.

4. Having heard learned counsel for the rival parties and upon perusal of the record, especially, the factum of the petitioner having joined investigation and cooperated therein and his custodial interrogation is sought for only for recovery of money in question, this Court is inclined to

YAG DUTT

2026.03.25 09:52 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document

CRM-M-6140-2026 -3-

confirm the order dated 24.02.2026. Accordingly, the instant petition is allowed. The interim order dated 24.02.2026, passed by this Court is made absolute, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Section 482(2) of

BNSS.

5. This order should not be treated as “blanket” order. It will not be read granting petitioner 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.

6. Liberty is reserved in favour of State/complainant to move for cancellation/recall of this order in case the petitioner violates any condition stipulated under Section 482(2) of BNSS or upon showing any other

sufficient cause.

7. Needless to say that anything observed herein above shall not

be construed to be an op