IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH -.-

CRM-M-7914-2026 (O&M)

Date of Decision : 11.02.2026 Balwinder Singh @ Bunty ....Petitioner State of Punjab ....Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MANDEEP PANNU Present: Mr. S.S.Majithia, Advocate for the petitioner.

(through Video Conferencing)

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MANDEEP PANNU J. (Oral)

1. Present is the first petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) with a prayer for enlarging the petitioner on pre-arrest bail in case FIR No. 164 dated 04.11.2025, registered under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) of the BNS, 2023 at Police Station Sadar Ahmedgarh, District Malerkotla.

2. The complainant, Ashok Kumar alias Ashok Kumar Kakadia, alleged that he is the owner in possession of land measuring 0 Bigha 10 Biswa situated in village Kup Kalan, Tehsil Ahmedgarh. It is alleged that accused Dheeraj Kataria impersonated him by preparing forged identity documents and projected himself as Ashok Kumar son of Amarnath, resident of Ludhiana. In conspiracy with co- accused Amritjit Singh (Numberdar), Rajiv Sharma (witness), and Rakesh Lal Mehta, a forged sale deed bearing Registration No. 2024-25/130/1/1017 dated 10.09.2024 was allegedly executed and registered before the Sub Registrar, Ahmedgarh in favour of Rakesh Lal Mehta. Thereafter, mutation No. 6934 was also got sanctioned in the revenue record.

3. During investigation, statements of the concerned parties and revenue officials were recorded. It also surfaced that Balwinder Singh alias Bunty (the present petitioner) allegedly introduced Dheeraj Kataria to Rakesh Lal Mehta as Ashok Kumar and facilitated the transaction. It is alleged that on his assurance, Rakesh Lal Mehta agreed to purchase land measuring about 10 biswa in village Kup Kalan for a total consideration of Rs.23 lakhs, out of which various amounts were paid in cash on different dates. The sale deed was ultimately registered on

10.09.2024.

4. Subsequently, when the promised further transaction based on power of attorney did not materialize and disputes arose, the purchaser came to know that the person introduced as Ashok Kumar was in fact Dheeraj Kataria and that forged documents had allegedly been used. It is further alleged that the petitioner played an active role in introducing the impersonator, facilitating documentation through deed writers, and assuring the genuineness of the transaction.

5. On these allegations of impersonation, forgery, cheating and conspiracy relating to transfer of immovable property, the present FIR was registered.

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is submitted that the petitioner was not specifically named in the initial complaint and his name surfaced only during the disclosure statement of co-accused Rakesh Lal Mehta during investigation. It is further argued that the allegations pertain to disputed questions of fact, which can only be adjudicated upon after completion of investigation and trial. The petitioner has no direct or indirect connection with the alleged forged sale deed. He was neither present at the time of execution nor at the time of registration of the impugned document.

7. It is further submitted that no recovery is to be effected from the petitioner and his custodial interrogation is not required. The basic ingredients of the offences alleged are not made out against him. The FIR is stated to be motivated and lodged with an ulterior intention to harass and humiliate the petitioner. Learned counsel further submits that the petitioner is ready to join investigation and cooperate with the investigating agency.

8. Notice of Motion.

9. Mr. Sahil Chowdhary, AAG Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the State and has opposed the bail application on the ground that serious allegations of cheating and forgery have been levelled against the petitioner. It is submitted that the petitioner is the mastermind behind the entire process