IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 03.03.2025 SHALLU ….PETITIONER Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ....RESPONDENT CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV BERRY Present:- Mr. Rahul Soi, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Ankit Grewal, DAG, Punjab.

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SANJIV BERRY, J. (ORAL)

By way of present petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case FIR (Annexure P-1) as under:

FIR No. Dated Sections Police Station

113 08.09.2024 329 (4), 331(6), 324 (4), Kotwali Bathinda, 351(2), 191 (3), 190 and Bathinda.

331(7) of BNS.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance to the order dated 16.01.2025 passed by this Court, the petitioner has already joined the investigation and as such prayed for confirming the interim bail granted vide order dated 16.01.2025.

3. Learned State counsel, on instructions from ASI Baljeet Singh, intimates the Court that the petitioner has joined investigation and is neither required for further investigation nor for any custodial interrogation.

4. During the course of hearing on 16.01.2025, following order was passed:

“Heard.

2. Status report filed by the State also perused.

3. Admittedly, the petitioner is not having any criminal antecedents and during the course of submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to the order dated 12.12.2024 passed in CRM-M-55082-2024 titled ‘Santosh Kumari Versus State of Punjab’, whereby the co- accused Santosh Kumari has been granted concession of bail by submitting that the case of the petitioner is at the same footing which fact is not disputed by learned State counsel and also by learned counsel representing the complainant.

4. Be it the case, without commenting on the merits of the case, the petitioner is hereby directed to join investigation within seven days from today and in the event of her arrest, she is ordered to be released on interim bail on her furnishing personal/surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer/Investigating Officer. She shall also abide by conditions as envisaged under Section 482 (2) of BNSS, 2023.

5. List on 30.01.2025. ”

5. Keeping in view the above submissions made by learned State counsel and the fact that the petitioner had joined the investigation consequent to the order dated 16.01.2025 passed by this Court, interim bail granted vide order dated 16.01.2025 is hereby confirmed, subject to conditions as envisaged under Section 482 (2) of BNSS, 2023. Further the petitioner is directed to join investigation as and when required in future by way of written notice for such purpose to be served by Investigating Officer of this case upon the petitioner; he will not tamper with the evidence nor will influence the witnesses and will not leave the country without prior permission of the Court.

6. The petition stands allowed.

7. It is made clear that anything contained hereinabove shall not be construed to be an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.

(SANJIV BERRY)

JUDGE

03.03.2025 kanika