IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

215 CRM-M-72342-2025 NEERAJ KHOSLA ....PETITIONER V/s STATE OF PUNJAB ....RESPONDENT Date of decision: 21.01.2026 Date of uploading:21.01.2026 CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Ankur Jain, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Jaypreet Singh, DAG, Punjab.

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SUMEET GOEL , J .

1. Present petition has been filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case bearing FIR No.216 dated 19.09.2025, registered for offences punishable under Sections

406 & 420 of the IPC, 1860, at Police Station Sadar Ludhiana, Punjab.

2. On 22.12.2025, the following order was passed:-

“Apprehending his arrest in FIR No.216 dated 19.09.2025, registered for offences punishable under Sections 406 & 420 of the IPC, 1860, at Police Station Sadar Ludhiana, Punjab; the petitioner has preferred this petition under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking pre-arrest bail.

Inter alia contends that genesis of the FIR in question is civil dispute, the said civil transaction pertain to the year 2011/ 2020 whereas the FIR in question was registered in the year 2023, no effective recovery is to be made from the petitioner, & the petitioner is willing to join investigation and cooperate therein.

Notice of motion.

On the strength of advance service of copy of petition, Mr. Adhiraj Singh Thind, AAG Punjab appears and accepts notice on behalf of the respondent – State of Punjab.

Put up on 21.01.2026.

The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer on 26.12.2025 at 11:00 A.M. in concerned Police Station and join investigation. In the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on interim bail subject to his furnishing personal/surety bond(s) to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer/Investigating Officer. As and when further called by Investigating Officer, the petitioner shall join the investigation. He shall abide by the condition(s) enumerated under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.”

3. Learned State counsel, on instructions, has stated that pursuant to the order dated 22.12.2025, the petitioner has joined investigation and is no longer required for custodial interrogation.

4. Keeping in view the factual milieu of the case in hand; especially the factum of the petitioner having joined investigation and cooperated therein and is no longer required by the State for further custodial interrogation, this Court is inclined to confirm the order dated 22.12.2025, granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Section 482(2) of BNSS.

5. Ordered accordingly.

6. This order should not be treated as “blanket” order. It will not be read granting petitioner indefinite protection from arrest. It shall be confined to the FIR mentioned ibid and will not operate in respect of any other incident that involves commission of an offence.

7. Liberty is reserved in favour of State/complainant to move for cancellation/recall of this order in case the petitioner violates any condition stipulated under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 or upon showing any other sufficient cause.

8. Needless to say that anything observed herein above shall not be construed to be an opinion on the merits of the case.

9. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

(SUMEET GOEL)

JUDGE

21.01.2026

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