IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Decided on: 11.05.2026 Mohammad Sheetal Saife @ Sheetal Mahant …...Petitioner Versus State of Punjab …...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present: Mr. Naveen Bawa, Advocate for the petitioner Mr. Vinay Malhotra, DAG Punjab ****

SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (ORAL)

1. Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438 Cr.P.C.), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, who has been booked in a criminal case arising out of FIR No.0023 dated 22.01.2026, under Sections 115(2) (323 of IPC), 118(1) (324 of IPC), 351(2) (506 of IPC), 190 (149 of IPC), 191(3) (148 of IPC) of BNS, 2023 at Police Station Dehlon, District Ludhiana.

2. On 02.04.2026, following order was passed:

“(i) xx xx xx xx (ii) Learned counsel for the petitioners, inter alia, contends that total eleven accused have been named in the present FIR, namely:- (1) Heena Mahant alias Vidyarthi Rao (petitioner herein), (2) Sheetal Mahant, (3) Shallu Mahant (petitioner herein), (4) Chatti Mahant, (5) Mehar Mahant, (6) Chela Rechna Mahant, (7) Prince, (8) Honey, (9) Sona Marasi, (10) Gulzar Marasi, and (11)

Bunty Marasi.

It is submitted that the alleged occurrence took place on 20.01.2026, and FIR was registered at the instance of the complainant, Mona Mahant alias Chela Ravina Mahant.

(iii) Counsel for the petitioner further submits that all the accused persons and complainant party belong to the transgender community, and dispute arose with regard to the collection of ‘badhai’ on the occasion of certain good news in the locality.

(iv) As per the allegations in the FIR, a scuffle took place between the parties. It is alleged that petitioner inflicted an injury on the back of the injured using a pair of scissors, and subsequently snatched a gold chain, weighing approximately

2.5 tolas, from the neck of Sohana Mahant.

(v) Counsel for the petitioner submits that co-accused Shalu Mahant @ Shallu Mahant, and Vidharthi Rao alias Heena Mahant, have already been granted the concession of interim anticipatory bail by this Court, vide common order dated 12.02.2026, passed in CRM-M-8086-2026 and CRM-M-8207-2026, respectively. Similarly, co-accused Chhoti Mahant @ Choti has been granted the concession of interim anticipatory bail by this Court, vide order dated 17.02.2026 passed in CRM-M-9049-2026, and said three petitions are now posted for hearing on 11.05.2026.

Moreover, petitioner is ready to join the investigation and fully cooperate, if protected from arrest by this Court. Thus, counsel prays for grant of concession of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the present case.

(vi) Notice of motion.

(vii) On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab, puts in appearance on behalf of the respondent – State, and seeks some time to file status report in the matter.

(viii) On being queried by this Court, learned State counsel submits that although injury attributed to the petitioner is not, at this stage, opined to be serious in nature, but there is a specific role assigned to the petitioner in the occurrence.

(ix) Adjourned to 11.05.2026.

(x) To be heard along with CRM-M-8086-2026.

(xi) Meanwhile, the petitioner is directed to join the investigation as and when required to do so by the Investigating Agency. In the event of his arrest, the petitioner shall be released on ad-interim bail, subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer. The petitioner shall also abide by all the conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 438(2) Cr.P.C.).

(xii) Besides, it is directed that petitioner would hand over his passport to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if he possesses. Otherwise, would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that he does not possess any passport.

It is also directed that before leaving country any time during trial, petitioner would seek prior permission of the Court.”

3. Learned State counsel on in