IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

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CRM-M No.62537 of 2024 Date of decision : 8.7.2025 Sandeep Singh @ Deep Dhingra ………….Petitioner Versus State of Punjab …….Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Kashav Chadha, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Jaypreet Singh, DAG, Punjab ---

SUMEET GOEL, J. (ORAL)

1. Present petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of regular bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.2 dated 16.1.2024 under Sections 420, 408 of the IPC (Section 411 of IPC was added later on), registered at Police Station ‘D’ Division, Police Commissionerate Amritsar.

2. The case set up in the FIR in question (as set out in the present petition by the petitioner) is as follows:-

‘In reference to application No.286980 PGD dated 08.01.2023, to the Hon'ble Police Commissioner Amritsar, Subject: With regard to fraud and embezzlement made by Amit Sanotra S/o Yashpal, R/o H.No.698/13, Sharifpura, Rani Bazar, Amritsar to the tune of lakhs of rupees with us and for registration of case pertaining to the offence of conspiracy. Sir, it is requested that I Prem Kumar S/o Sh. Thakur Dass, R/o 52 Sehaj Enclave, Majitha Road, Amritsar and I am Managing Director of the Firm M/s Prem Kumar & Sons Jewellers Private Limited situated at Estate No.7/6-1, Bazar Battii Hatta, Chowk Chaurasti Atari, Amritsar. The aforesaid Amit Sanotra S/o Yashpal is the Sr. Accountant of my aforesaid Firm and we were reposing full confidence/faith in him and Amit Sanotra being our accountant was having complete knowledge of our business. The aforesaid Amit Sanotra with an intention to cause loss to our business and in order to get personal gain and with an intention cause loss to us and has embezzled lakhs of rupees from the account of my firm on a large scale by cheating and forgery. He by withdrawing the amount from our account which was to be deposited regarding which taxes were to be paid to be Government and inspite of paying taxes, he fraudulently deposited the money in his account and has committed forgery and cheating with us and the Government at a large scale. Kindly register a case under the relevant sections and justice be done to us. Sd/ in English of applicant Prem Kumar S/o Sh. Thakur Dass, R/o 52, Sehaj Enclave Majitha Road, Amritsar and Managing Director of Firm M/s Prem Kumar & Sons Jewellers Private Limited, Estate No.7/6-1, Chaurasti Bazar Battii Hatta, Chowk Atari, No.9815385100.’

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that the petitioner is in custody since 19.8.2024. Learned counsel has further iterated that the investigation of the case already stands completed and 19 prosecution witnesses have been cited but none has been examined till date. Learned counsel has further submitted that there was an accountancy related dispute between co-accused and the complainant, which led to registration of the FIR in question. Thus, regular bail is prayed for.

4. Learned State counsel has opposed the present petition by arguing that the allegations raised are serious in nature and thus the petitioner does not deserve the concession of the regular bail. Learned State counsel seeks to place on record custody certificate dated 7.7.2025 in Court, which is taken on record.

5. I have heard counsel for the parties and have gone through the available records of the case.

6. The petitioner was arrested on 19.8.2024 whereinafter investigation was carried out and challan was presented on 18.10.2024. Total 19 prosecution witnesses have been cited but none has been examined till date. It is indubitable that completion of trial will take its own time. The rival contention raised by learned counsel for the parties give rise to debatable issues which shall essentially be ratiocinated upon during the course of trial. This Court does not deem it appropriate to delve deep into these rival contentions, at this stage, lest it may prejudice the trial.