IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 09.03.2026 Siman Sahota ......Petitioner Versus State of Haryana .....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE AARADHNA SAWHNEY Present: Mr. Parminder Singh, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Shweta Nahata, DAG, Haryana.

Mr. Vishal Jassal, Advocate for the complainant.

AARADHNA SAWHNEY, J (ORAL)

1. Petitioner, who is accused in case FIR No.760 dated 13.12.2025 registered against him, for commission of offences punishable under Sections 316(2),318(4),61(2) of BNS at Police Station Ghraunda, District Karnal, has filed the instant petition, praying for grant of pre-arrest bail.

2. Facts as taken from para 1 of the status report filed by way of an affidavit of Manoj Kumar, H.P.S, DSP, Gharaunda (Karnal) on behalf of respondent-State are reproduced hereinbelow:

“(a) "My brother Randhir Pal talked to his friend Aavesh about going abroad, he gave mobile No. of agent Simon Sahota, which Aavesh had taken from Instagram. My brother talked to this agent and he made an appointment to meet us at Hotel Break Point and he finalized the matter of sending Canada on transit visa for Rs. 25,00,000, which he said would

2026.03.16 22:25 be valid for 48 hours and he said that he would take Rs. 5,00,000 when

he takes us to Delhi airport. He would collect the remaining Rs.

20,00,000/- from my brother Vijay after I land at Montreal airport.

(b) That he took us from Gharuanda to Delhi airport on 13-08-2024 and after that when the matter could not be finalized, he dropped us back at Gharaunda on 14-08-2025.

(c) After this, due to the death of my uncle's son, we delayed from going abroad. After this, he called us again to Zirakpur on 24-08-2024 with Rs.

25,00,000. But nothing worked out and we returned.

(d) After this, on 26-08-2024, he came to our house with Aavesh and said that you give me Rs. 4,50,000/- and I will get your flight from Amritsar Airport. On which my brother Vijay Pal gave Rs. 3,60,000 in cash and Rs. 50,000 through UPI No. 70-424136596033, Rs. 38,000/- through UPI 460705893578, Rs. 2,000 through UPI No. 00- 424104702252 and he told me that you should reach Amritsar Airport before 12 midnight on 27-08-2024, I will whatsapp the ticket to you.

(e) After that we left for Amritsar, he sent me a ticket on whatsapp and said that you wait at the main gate of the airport, my man will come and get you entry inside, flight time was at 3:35 AM. At that time none of his men came and neither did any call come nor did he pick up our call.

(f) After which we came back from Amritsar to his office in Zirakpur, he met us and said that the man who had to get your entry inside, that person's duty was changed. Due to which I could not send you, now that person will resume duty after 15 days then I will send you. Then I told him that I don't want to go abroad, now return my money. On which he told me that I have already booked the ticket with that money. You give me some time and I will return the money. But now he is not giving back our money and does not pick our calls.”

After the complaint was inquired into by the Economic Offences Wing, Karnal, they found substance in the allegations levelled and recommended initiation of criminal proceedings. That is how the present FIR came to be registered.

In nutshell, the allegations against the petitioner is that he duped complainant of Rs.4,50,000/-i.e Rs.3,60,000/- in cash and Rs.90,000/- through UPI, on the ground that he (P) would be able to send his (c’s) brother abroad, knowing fully well that he (p) was not legally authorized to send the victim abroad.

Apprehending his arrest, the petitioner moved an application for grant of pre-arrest bail before the learned Additional Session Judge Karnal. The same came to be dismissed vide order dated 10.02.2026. Aggrieved of which, the present petition has been filed.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner, a property dealer by profession, who is also engaged in the business of exchange of curre