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105

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH

CRM-M No.26623 of 2026

Date of decision: 14.05.2026

Manjit Singh

…Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab

…Respondent

CORAM: HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE MANDEEP PANNU

Present :- Mr. Manish Verma, Advocate

for the petitioner.

Mr. Sahil Chowdhary, AAG, Punjab

for the respondent-State.

Mr. Tarun Deora, Advocate

for the complainant.

*****

MANDEEP PANNU, J. (Oral)

1. Present petition is the first petition filed under Section 482 of

the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (corresponding Section 438

Cr.P.C.) seeking grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in FIR No.247

dated 19.11.2024, registered under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 448

and 120-B IPC, 1860 (corresponding Sections 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3),

340(2), 329(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023), at Police

Station Sadar, Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana, Punjab.

2. As per the allegations in the FIR, complainant Vishal Gupta

alleged that he had purchased certain plots in Geetika Valley Colony,

Sangowal, Ludhiana and had raised construction thereupon. It was alleged

NEETU RANI

2026.05.14 12:39

I attest to the accuracy and

authenticity of this order/judgment

PHHC, CHD

CRM-M No.26623 of 2026 -2-

that accused Tejinderpal Singh, who was known to the complainant and

was dealing in property matters, was entrusted with the work relating to

sale of flats and supervision of certain properties. The complainant alleged

that taking advantage of the said relationship, accused persons prepared

forged partnership deeds, agreements and other documents by allegedly

tracing and fabricating signatures of the complainant and Vijay Kumar in

order to claim rights in the property and flats. It was further alleged that

one flat was sold to present petitioner Manjeet Singh for an amount of

Rs.8,60,000/- and possession thereof was delivered without authority and

in connivance with co-accused persons. On the basis of the complaint

moved by Vishal Gupta, an inquiry was conducted by the police authorities

and thereafter, recommendation was made for registration of the present

FIR under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 448 and 120-B IPC.

3. During inquiry, the police compared the disputed agreements

and partnership documents with the admitted signatures and letterheads of

the complainant and other concerned persons. The inquiry report recorded

that the disputed agreement/letter pad allegedly used by accused persons

did not match the original letterhead of the complainant, as the format,

GST particulars, mobile number and other details materially differed from

the genuine documents. It was also noticed that certain agreements did not

bear signatures of purchasers/witnesses and original documents were not

produced despite opportunity. Statements of Vijay Kumar and other persons

were also recorded, wherein allegations were made that signatures

appearing on certain agreements appeared to have been traced/copied from

other documents. On the basis of the aforesaid discrepancies and suspicion

NEETU RANI

2026.05.14 12:39

I attest to the accuracy and

authenticity of this order/judgment

PHHC, CHD

CRM-M No.26623 of 2026 -3-

regarding authenticity of signatures and documents, the matter was

recommended to be sent for forensic examination and ultimately, the FIR

came to be registered against the accused persons. It is further averred that

learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana vide order dated 16.04.2025

had granted anticipatory bail to the present petitioner-Manjeet Singh as

well as co-accused Tejinderpal Singh in FIR No.247 dated 19.11.2024

registered under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 448 and 120-B IPC at

Police Station Sadar, Ludhiana. While granting the concession of

anticipatory bail, learned Court imposed a specific condition that the bail

shall remain subject to the outcome of the FSL report regarding the

signatures of the complainant on the disputed documents and in case the

report revealed that the signatures were forged and fabricated, the

investigating agency would be at