IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 22.09.2025 ATUL VERMA ....Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY Present : Mr. K.S.Dadwal, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. M.S.Bajwa, DAG, Punjab.

AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (ORAL)

1. The present petition has been filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case GDR No.21 dated 31.07.2025, in FIR No.30 dated 17.04.2025, under Sections 331(4), 305 of BNS, 2023, registered at Police Station Talwara, District Hoshiarpur.

2. On 25.08.2025, this Court had passed the following order:-

“Learned counsel submits that the offence alleged against the petitioner is of theft, however, in the disclosure statement, based on which, he is sought to be implicated, it has been stated that some jewellery which was stolen by Vishal Kumar @ Poda, Sumit Kumar, Shiv Kumar, were sold to the petitioner by Vishal @ Poda. However, ASI/investigating officer visited his shop on 31.07.2025 and had stated that one ring that was stolen, was alleged to have been purchased by his shop. The only jewellery shop is of him and as such, he has been falsely implicated. The old widowed mother also otherwise sits on the shop and there is nothing of such kind that had taken place. There is no other criminal case pending against him. He is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when required by the investigating agency and will cooperate.

Notice of motion.

At the asking of the Court, Mr. MS Bajwa, DAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State.

Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation on or before 08.09.2025. In the event of his arrest, he shall be released on interim bail to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer, subject to compliance of conditions as enshrined under Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.

However, it is clarified that if the petitioner does not join and cooperate with the Investigating Agency as required by the Arresting/Investigating Officer, this interim order shall be deemed to have been vacated.

Adjourned to 22.09.2025.”

3. Learned counsel submits that in pursuance of the afore- mentioned order, the petitioner has not only joined investigation but also fully cooperated with the investigating agency. He further submits that in case the investigating agency requires the petitioner to appear, he shall make himself available without demur.

4. Learned State counsel on instructions from the Investigating Officer, affirms the factum of joining the investigation by the petitioner and cooperating with the investigating agency. He also submits that at this stage, the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation.

5. In view of the above and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, anticipatory bail petition filed by the petitioner is allowed and the order dated 25.08.2025 granting interim bail to him, is hereby made absolute, subject to compliance of conditions as specified under Section 438(2) Cr.P.C./482(2) of BNSS, 2023.

6. However, it is made clear that if the petitioner fails to join and cooperate with the investigating agency as and when required, the State would be at liberty to move an application for cancellation of the present anticipatory bail granted to him.

22.09.2025 (AMAN CHAUDHARY)

JUDGE

parveen kumar