IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

261 CRM-M-27830-2024 (O&M) Date of decision: 18.12.2025.

MANJU BALA & ANR.

...Petitioner(s)

VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER ...Respondent(s)

CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VINOD S. BHARDWAJ Present :- None VINOD S. BHARDWAJ, J. (Oral)

Prayer in the present petition under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 is for quashing of FIR No.144 dated 17.08.2019 under Sections 420, 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Section 465, 467, 468, 471, 120B of IPC added later on and Section 34 of IPC deleted later on) registered at Police Station Barnala, District Barnala along with all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom on the basis of compromise/affidavit dated

09.05.2024 (Annexure P-2).

2 A perusal of the petition indicates that the instant FIR was registered on the complaint of Harjit Kaur, daughter of Darshan Singh, wife of Karnail Singh, resident of Jodhpur, Tehsil and District Barnala, who stated that she and her family were approached through relatives at village Kutba by one Mohammad Ansari, resident of Ward No. 8, Radha Swami Street, Barnala. The said Mohammad Ansari represented that he could arrange the complainant s migration to Canada in consideration of a sum of ₹35,00,000/-. Initially, the complainant expressed her inability to pay the said amount and discontinued discussions. Thereafter, Mohammad Ansari procured her contact details through relatives and, along with Dharamvir, son of Malkeet Rai, resident of Ward No. 10, Gaj Singh Pura, Tehsil Padampur, District Sri Ganganagar, visited the complainant s residence and reiterated the assurance, inducing her with promises of employment and settlement abroad. It was represented that the visa would be arranged first and the payments would be taken thereafter. Subsequently, the complainant was asked to make an initial payment of ₹11,80,000/-. On 04.10.2018, Mohammad Ansari and Dharamvir visited the complainant s village, displayed a visa and thereafter took the same with them, assuring that the complainant would be sent to Canada by 15.02.2019. Believing the representations to be genuine, the complainant and her family made multiple payments at the instance and behest of Mohammad Ansari and his associates. On 11.10.2018, the complainant s father, Darshan Singh, transferred ₹10,00,000/- from his account to the account of Rajinder Sandhu Sethi, stated to be residing abroad. On 29.10.2018, an amount of ₹2,00,000/- was transferred from the account of the complainant s uncle to the account of Mohammad Ansari. On 23.10.2018, additional cash amounts were delivered to Ansari through intermediaries at a hotel in Longowal. Further transfers included ₹2,00,000/- on 24.01.2019 to the account of Manju Bala, wife of Dharamvir and ₹4,70,000/- on 23.01.2019 and ₹4,00,000/- on 28.10.2019 to the account of Dharamvir, aggregating to approximately ₹35,00,000/-, besides amounts taken towards ticketing. It is further stated that a visa and ticket dated 15.02.2019 were shown to the complainant. Upon verification by acquaintances, the complainant was informed that the visa and ticket appeared to be fake. When confronted, the accused repeatedly asserted that the documents were genuine and continued to assure imminent departure. Despite repeated demands, the money was not returned. The complaint stated that thereafter the accused began issuing threats, asserting that no action could be taken against them and warning of dire consequences if demands were persisted with. Moreover, Mohammad Ansari threatened self-harm and sought to falsely implicate the complainant in the event of any such act. The complainant asserts that due to the aforesaid acts, her family s financial condition has been rendered precarious, with no viable source of income left and that her father has suffered severe health complications owing to stress and anxiety. Apprehending danger to their life and liberty and alleging cheating, criminal intimidation and conspiracy, the complain