207 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-2185-2026 (O&M)

Date of decision: 11.02.2026 HARMEET SINGH ...PETITIONER VERSUS THE STATE OF PUNJAB ...RESPONDENT CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL Present: Ms. Shikha Khullar, Advocate for Mr. Abhishek Khullar, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Sukhbeer Singh, DAG, Punjab.

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SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL J.

1. Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case arising out of FIR No.93 dated 13.10.2025, under Sections 406, 498-A, Police Station Women, District Ludhiana. This is the first petition for anticipatory bail.

2. While issuing notice of motion on 19.01.2026, following order was passed:-

“Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case arising out of FIR No.93 dated 13.10.2025, under Sections 406, 498-A, at Police Station Women, District Ludhiana. This is the first petition for anticipatory bail.

marriage of the petitioner and complainant was solemnised on 03.04.2022. Complainant filed a complaint against the petitioner and other family members on 03.05.2024 but the FIR was registered after 1-1/2 years on 13.10.2025. During this period, after filing of the complaint, the couple was blessed with a child. Complainant also continued to reside in the matrimonial home with the petitioner and left only after registration of the FIR on 13.10.2025. He further submits that allegations in the complaint were general and omnibus in nature and that petitioner's mother has since been enlarged on anticipatory bail. Further, that petitioner was ready and willing to join investigation.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Kunwarbir Singh, AAG Punjab, who is present in the Court accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State and opposes the prayer for anticipatory bail submitting that two earlier complaints were moved against the petitioner and other family members but were compromised with the intervention of Panchayat. Present complaint also levelled allegations of beating and demand of dowry and no case for grant of anticipatory bail is made out.

In the given facts and circumstances of the case, 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.

Status report be filed by the State on 11.02.2026.”

of this Court dated 19.01.2026 passed by this Court, the petitioner has joined investigation.

4. Learned State counsel, on instructions from ASI Gurmail Singh, has submitted that that the petitioner has joined investigation, he however, opposes the prayer for anticipatory bail on the ground that the recovery of gold articles has not been effected.

5. Pursuant to order of this Court dated 19.01.2026, petitioner has joined investigation. Benefit of anticipatory bail cannot be denied for the reason that some gold articles are yet to be recovered. Considering all relevant facts and circumstances, the petition is allowed and order dated 19.01.2026, 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.

6. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, stand disposed of.

(SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL)

11.02.2026 JUDGE

Sumit Singla