IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

211 Date of decision: 09.02.2026 MANAV BHANDARI ….Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ....Respondent CORAM:- HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL Present:- Mr. Amandeep Singh, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Amrit Pal Singh Gill, DAG, Punjab.

Mr. Anish Setia, Advocate for the complainant.

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RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J. (ORAL)

1. Through the instant petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (For short “BNSS”), the petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case FIR No.121, dated 14.10.2025, under Section 420 of IPC, registered at Police Station Division 2, District Police Commissionerate Ludhiana.

2. On 06.11.2025, following order was passed by the co-ordinate bench of this Court: -

“Present petition has been filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.121, dated 14.10.2025, under Section 420 of IPC, registered at Police Station Division 2, District Commissionerate Ludhiana. Learned counsel for the petitioner has inter alia contended that earlier petitioner had been granted the interim bail by learned trial Court but he could not join the investigation due to some unavoidable circumstances. The matter is of civil in nature and the present FIR is counter blast to the civil suit which has been filed by the petitioner. He submitted that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Learned counsel further contended that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Navdeep Singh, DAG, Punjab, appears and accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State and seeks time to file the status report.

List on 09.02.2026.

Meanwhile, the petitioner shall join the investigation and would come present as and when called for and in the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on interim bail on his furnishing personal and surety bonds to the satisfaction of Arresting/ Investigating Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as specified under Section 482(2) BNSS.”

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of the order dated 06.11.2025 passed by the co-ordinate bench of this Court, the petitioner has joined the investigation.

4. Learned counsel for the State, on instructions from ASI Sukhdev Singh, has submitted that the petitioner has joined the investigation and is no longer required for further investigation.

5. Learned counsel appearing for the complainant submits that the offence committed by petitioner is serious in nature and hence, opposes the grant of bail to the petitioner.

6. In view of the statement made by learned State counsel, the interim order dated 06.11.2025 passed by the co-ordinate bench of this Court, is made absolute. The petitioner shall continue to join investigation, as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under Section 482(2) of the BNSS.

(RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL)

09.02.2026 JUDGE Gurpreet