IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

209 Date of decision: 12.01.2026 SUKHDEV SINGH PETITIONER VERSUS STATE OF HARYANA RESPONDENT CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL Present: Ms. G.K. Mann, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Anmol Jeevan S. Gill, Advocate, Ms. Shruti, Advocate, Mr. Arshjot S. Mohi, Advocate and Ms. Pia M. Bhargava, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Kanica Sachdeva, DAG Haryana.

Ms. Garima Modi, Advocate for the complainant.

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Shalini Singh Nagpal, J. (Oral)

1. Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case vide FIR No.110 dated 09.08.2025 under Sections 323, 406, 498-A, 506 IPC, Police Station Women, District Karnal, Haryana. This is the first petition for anticipatory bail.

2. On 10.12.2025, following order was passed:- “Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case arising out of FIR No.0110 dated 09.08.2025, under Sections 323, 406, 498-A, 506 of Indian Penal Code, 2023, at Police Station Women, District Karnal, Haryana. This is the first petition for anticipatory bail.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that marriage of petitioner's son with complainant's daughter was solemnised in February 2023 and the couple left for Canada in the first week of March 2023. Complainant's daughter never lived together with the petitioner, who was the father-in-law. There was no allegation of demand of dowry and the only allegation against the petitioner was that he called his son and asked him to leave the complainant's daughter. She further submits that on account of marital discord, petitioner's son and complainant's daughter sought divorce from a Court in Canada. Wife of the petitioner had already been allowed anticipatory bail by learned Additional Sessions Judge. It is urged that the case was false and petitioner was falsely implicated only to wreak vengeance. Petitioner had no criminal antecedents and was ready and willing to join investigation.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Vikas Bhardwaj, AAG Haryana, who is present in the Court accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State and seeks some time to file the status report.

Status report in the matter be filed on 12.01.2026.

In the meantime, in the event of arrest, petitioner shall be released on interim anticipatory bail subject to his furnishing personal and surety bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting/Investigating Officer. Petitioner shall join investigation as and when called upon to do so and shall abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.”

3. Ms. Garima Modi appears on behalf of the complainant and files her vakalatnama. The same is made part of the record. Learned State counsel assisted by learned counsel for the complainant concedes that petitioner had joined investigation. The prayer for anticipatory bail is, however, opposed on the ground that petitioner failed to disclose the passport number of co-accused, his son. It is further submitted that dowry articles and gold jewellery are yet to be recovered.

4. Benefit of anticipatory bail cannot be declined merely on the ground that recovery has not been effected. Whether or not the articles were indeed entrusted to the petitioner would be a matter of evidence, to be led during the trial. Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the case, as enumerated above, but without commenting on merits, order dated

10.12.2025, granting interim anticipatory bail to the petitioner is made absolute, subject to conditions laid down in Section 482(2) Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

5. All the pending miscellaneous applications, if any, stand disposed of.

(SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL)

JUDGE

12.01.2026

HS.CHAUHAN