204 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 10.02.2026 KIRPAL SINGH …Petitioner V/S STATE OF PUNJAB …Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL Present: Mr. Sanjay Singh, Advocate for Mr. Rajeshwar Singh Thakur, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Kunwarbir Singh, AAG Punjab ****

SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL J. (Oral)

1. Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case bearing FIR No.101 dated 19.08.2025, under Sections 85, 115(2), 118(1), 316(2) and 61(2) of BNS, Police Station Sadar, Gurdaspur. This is the first application for anticipatory bail.

2. Following order was passed on 16.01.2026: “1. Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case vide FIR No.101 dated 19.08.2025, under Sections 85, 115(2), 118(1), 316(2) and 61(2) of BNS, Police Station Sadar, Gurdaspur. This is the first application for anticipatory bail. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that marriage of petitioner’s son and the complainant was solemnized in the year 2022. One month after the marriage, petitioner’s son left for Australia where he was permanently settled. The complainant resided in the matrimonial home only for one and a half month, after which she returned to her parental home and never came back. She also got her pregnancy terminated. Usual allegations of demand of dowry were levelled and FIR was lodged on 19.08.2025. Petitioner applied for anticipatory bail and was allowed interim anticipatory bail by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Gurdaspur. However, due to serious ailment of his mother, he could not join investigation. Petitioner’s mother died on 06.01.2026. On that account, his application for grant of anticipatory bail was dismissed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Gurdaspur. He further submits that antecedents of the petitioner were clean and he was ready to join investigation.

3. Notice of motion.

4. On advance notice, Mr. Kunwarbir Singh, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, appears on behalf of the State and opposes the prayer for the bail. He submits that there were specific allegations of dowry demands, harassment and beatings given by the petitioner to the complainant on which account she suffered five injures with sharp object and was medico legally examined. The petitioner, who failed to join investigation despite opportunity granted by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Gurdaspur, did not deserve the concession of anticipatory bail.

5. Petitioner is directed to appear before the

one week or as and when required. In the event of his arrest,

petitioner on interim anticipatory bail on furnishing personal/surety bonds to his/her satisfaction. The petitioner shall also abide by the conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

6. Let status report be filed by the State on

10.02.2026.”

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in compliance of order dated 16.01.2026, petitioner has joined investigation.

4. Learned State counsel has filed status report by way of affidavit of Mohan Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub Division City, District Gurdaspur and on instructions from ASI Satinder Pal, submits that petitioner has joined investigation. However, he opposes the prayer for anticipatory bail on the ground of serious nature of allegations. 5. Petitioner has joined investigation pursuant to order of this Court dated 16.01.2026. Truth of the allegations against him can be determined only on conclusion of trial. In the circumstances of the case, but without commenting on merits, the petition is allowed and order dated 16.01.2026, granting interim anticipatory bail to the petitioner, is made absolute, subject to the conditions laid down in Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

(SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL)

10.02.2026 JUDGE

Ajay Goswami