IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

217 CRM-M-3337-2026 VINOD KUMAR JAIN ....PETITIONER V/s STATE OF PUNJAB ....RESPONDENT Date of decision: 12.02.2026 Date of uploading: 12.02.2026 CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Jaiveer Singh, Advocate and Ms. Divya, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Jaypreet Singh, DAG, Punjab.

Mr. Atul Goyal, Advocate for the complainant.

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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.161 dated 27.11.2025 registered for offences punishable under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 351(3) and 61(2) of BNS 2023 at Police Station Panjab Agriculture University, District Police Commissionerate Ludhiana.

2. On 21.01.2026, the following order was passed:-

“Apprehending his arrest in FIR No.161 dated 27.11.2025 registered for offences punishable under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 351(3) and 61(2) of BNS 2023 at Police Station Panjab Agriculture University, District Police Commissionerate Ludhiana; the petitioner has preferred this petition under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking pre-arrest bail.

Counsel for the petitioner, inter alia, contends that the FIR in question essentially has civil overtones, civil suit was initiated by the son of the petitioner in March, 2025 whereas the FIR in question has been registered on 27.11.2025, the petitioner is a man aged 68 years with clean antecedents & the petitioner is willing to join investigation and cooperate therein as per law.

Notice of motion.

On the strength of advance notice; Mr. Adhiraj Singh, AAG, Punjab has entered appearance on behalf of the respondent-State of Punjab.

At this stage, Mr. Atul Goyal, Advocate has caused appearance on behalf of the complainant. Adjourned to 12.02.2026.

Respondent-State as also the complainant are at liberty to file reply. The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer on 27.01.2026 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 21.01.2026, the petitioner has joined investigation and is no longer required for custodial interrogation.

4. Learned counsel for the complainant has vehemently opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner by arguing that the allegations raised against the petitioner are direct/serious in nature and hence he ought not to be extended the concession of anticipatory bail. He has further iterated that in case the petitioner is extended the concession of anticipatory bail, there is all the likelihood that he may interfere with the investigation as also intimidate the investigation/witnesses.

5. 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 21.01.2026, granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Section 482(2) of BNSS.

6. Ordered accordingly.

7. 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.

8. Liberty is reserved in favour of State/complainant to move for cancellation/recall of this order in case the petitioner violates any condition stipulated