232 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Decided on : 08.10.2025 Jasjeet Singh @ Pretty ......Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Arshdeep Singh Brar, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Manjinder Singh Bhullar, DAG, Punjab.

Mr. Manpreet Singh Dhaliwal, Advocate for the complainant.

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SANJAY VASHISTH, J.

1. The instant petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 439 Cr.P.C.), for grant of regular bail to the petitioner, during the pendency of trial, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of First Information Report, as detailed hereunder:-

Name of FIR Date Section(s) Police District Petitioner(s) No. Station Jasjeet Singh 16 13.02.2025 420, 465, Mehna Moga @ Pretty 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC

2. Complainant Joginder Singh got lodged FIR by levelling allegation that he has been cheated of more than Rs. 1.00 Crore by the petitioner and his other co-accused (family members), namely: Sarabjit Singh, Jasvir Kaur and Sandeep Kaur. As per allegations, accused persons allured the complainant to invest money in purchasing the old machinery i.e. Brawler, trucks, tractors and cars and sell them on higher prices. On the assurance given by the accused persons, he invested an amount of Rs.1.00 Crore, however, not a single penny has been returned, or even old vehicles were purchased by them.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner argues that, petitioner is a respectable citizen and even paying his income tax regularly. In fact, Sandeep Singh @ Sippy Gill, who is singer and actor, and being son of the complainant used his influence over the local police, in lodging the impugned FIR. In fact, business of paddy straw was initiated in collaboration with the complainant and for doing the business, it was the petitioner, who had sent his four tractors, trailers and brawler etc. to the complainant.

4. Further argues that, even looking at the allegations levelled in the FIR, no criminal case could have been registered, whereby the complainant alleges to have invested the amount of his own free will & wish. No trust-worthy evidence to believe the allegations against the petitioner and his other family member is there.

5. Learned counsel also relies upon the representation dated 28.12.2024 (P-2) submitted by him to the SSP, District Sri Muktsar Sahib for taking legal action against the complainant Joginder Singh, his son Sandeep Singh @ Sippy and Harbans Kaur w/o Gurjinder Singh.

6. In support of the arguments, learned counsel also relies upon the publication/photographs published in the social media showing huge business of complainant's party of paddy straw and the tractors being used therein in the fields, which actually belonged to the petitioner Furthermore, learned counsel relies upon the order dated 07.07.2025 (Annexure P-5) whereby, co-accused of the petitioner, namely,: Sarabjit Singh and another co-accused have been granted anticipatory bail by confirming the ad-interim order dated 14.05.2025.

7. Learned counsel also relies upon the order dated 24.03.2025 (Annexure P-6) passed by learned Sessions Judge, Moga, whereby, another co-accused, Jasvir Kaur @ Jasvir Kaur Bhullar, has been released on regular bail. Further argues that there being no possibility of early culmination of the trial, and petitioner being inside jail since 15.02.2025, he may be granted concession of bail.

8. On the other hand, learned State counsel has filed status report dated 07.10.2025, and the same is taken on record. While opposing the prayer for bail, it is being argued by learned DAG, who is assisted by counsel for the complainant, that huge amount, i.e., Rs. 1,03,73,000/- is involved, of which complainant has been duped. In fact, allegations were found to be genuine and only thereupon, the FIR was registered against the petitioner and other co-accused, who are none else but the family members.

10. Upon this, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that