SANJAY VASHISTH , J (ORAL)

1. Present petition has been filed by the petitioner, seeking grant of anticipatory bail, in case, FIR No.186, dated 15.11.2024, under Sections 408, 420, 467, 468, 471, 472, 473, 120-B of IPC, registered at Police Station Moti Nagar, District Ludhiana.

2. After hearing the submissions addressed by counsel for the petitioner, on 11.02.2025, following order was passed:-

“2. Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia contends that FIR has been complainant in the FIR is M/s Patanjali Parivahan Pvt. Ltd. and the petitioner is merely working in the company as its employee since the year 2019. He has no connection as beneficiary with the amount, which is allegedly transferred from the complainant – Company’s account to 4/5 other companies account i.e.

(i) S.S. Foods Industries [(payment made accused No.3 through bank account) Rs.1,72,92,960.00 bogus payment received (through account) -67,02,627.00 -Fraud amount – Rs.1,05,90,333.00],

(ii) Devyani International Ltd. [(payment made accused No.3 through bank account) 1,49,75,000.00-Bogus payment received (through account)-40,13,099.00-Fraud amount - 1,09,61,901.00],

(iii) Vardhman yarns and Threads Ltd. - [Bogus transaction amount (payment made accused No.3 through bank account) 38,74,023.00- Fraud amount – 38,74,023.00],

(iv) Medico Hosiery Works – [Bogus transaction amount (payment made accused No.3 through bank account) 17,74,814.00- Fraud amount -17,74,814.00],

(v) Doors and Beyond – [Bogus transaction amount (payment made accused No.3 through bank account) 24,87,520.00 -Bogus payment received (through account) -15,50,440.00 - Fraud amount-9,37,080.00], and

(vi) MRS Bector Foods Speciality Limited -[Bogus transaction amount (payment made accused No.3 through bank account) 6,03,680.00 -Fraud amount -6,03,680.00].

Besides, counsel submits that the co-accused namely; Jagpreet Singh’s bail petition i.e. CRM-M- 64960-2024, is pending consideration before this Court for 17.02.2025.”

3. Counsel for the petitioner produces the copy of order dated 23.12.2024, passed in CRM-M-64960- 2024 in Court, which is taken on record, subject to all just exceptions. The operative part of the order dated 23.12.2024, is reproduced as under:-

“1. Present petition has been filed by the accused – Jagpreet Singh, seeking anticipatory bail in case FIR No.0186 dated 15.11.2024 registered under Sections 408, 420, 467, 468, 471, 472, 473, 120-B of IPC, at Police Station Moti Nagar, District Ludhiana.

2. Counsel for the petitioner, inter alia contends that the amount of about Rs.4 crores paid by the complainant-company which is allegedly embezzeled has never been credited to the amount of the petitioner. The sole beneficiaries are employees of the complainant- company, who are accused Nos.1 and 2 in the present FIR. They had opened the forged accounts in the name of the different firms, to which the amount has been credited, and the accused Nos.1 and 2 were using those accounts.

3. Notice of motion.

4. On advance notice, Mr. S.S. Gill, Sr. DAG-cum-Public Prosecutor, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the respondent/State along with the Investigating Officer.

5. Mr. Arshdeep Singh Sivia, Advocate, puts in appearance, and files his memorandum of appearance in Court today, accepts notice on behalf of the complainant.

6. Adjourned to 14.01.2025.

7. In the meanwhile, learned State shall file status report in the matter.”

4. Notice of motion.

5. On advance notice, learned State counsel puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent – State, and seeks some time to respond to the submissions addressed by learned counsel opposite, after seeking instructions. And, in case of necessity, to file status report.

6. Adjourned to 17.02.2025.

In the meanwhile, learned State counsel shall file status report in the matter.

To be heard along with CRM-M-64960-2024.”

3. Today, learned State counsel informs that the connected petition, i.e., CRM-M-64960-2024, already stands disposed of, as having bee