IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Decided on: 11.05.2026 Uploaded on: 11.05.2026 Ravish Kalia ……Petitioner(s)

Versus State of Punjab ……Respondent(s)

CORAM : HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: None for the petitioner (s).

Mr. Hemant Aggarwal, DAG, Punjab.

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Sumeet Goel (Oral):

1. Apprehending his arrest in FIR No. 21 dated 25.01.2026 registered under Sections 406, 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [now 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ("BNS") and 318 BNS], at Police Station Kapurthala City, Kapurthala, Punjab; the petitioner has preferred this petition under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking pre-arrest bail.

2. On 20.03.2026, the following order was passed:

“Apprehending his arrest in FIR No. 21 dated 25.01.2026 registered under Sections 406, 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [now 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ("BNS") and 318 BNS], at Police Station Kapurthala City, Kapurthala, Punjab; 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 petitioner has been falsely implicated into the FIR in question, the allegations in the FIR in question pertaining to the year 2018 whereas FIR in question was registered in the year 2026, the petitioner is ascribed the role of merely introducing the FIR- complainant to the co-accused & 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.

Adjourned to 28.04.2026.

The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer on 25.03.2026 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 submitted that the petitioner has joined investigation and he is not required for custodial interrogation.

4. Keeping in view the factual milieu of the case in hand, especially the factum of the petitioner having joined investigation and he is not required for custodial interrogation, the petition is allowed and the order dated 20.03.2026 granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner is hereby made absolute, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Section

482(2) of BNSS.

5. 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.

6. Liberty is reserved in favour of State/complainant to move for cancellation/recall of this order in case the petitioner violates any condition stipulated under Section 482(2) of BNSS or upon showing any other sufficient cause.

7. Needless to say that anything observed herein above shall not be construed to be an opinion on the merits of the case.

8. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed off.

(SUMEET GOEL)

11.05.2026 JUDGE

Naveen

Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No

Whether Reportable : Yes/No