IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

213 CRM-M-14490-2026 ARVIND VIJ ....PETITIONER V/s STATE OF PUNJAB ....RESPONDENT Date of decision: 22.04.2026 Date of uploading:22.04.2026 CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Atul Kumar, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Jaypreet Singh, DAG, Punjab.

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SUMEET GOEL , J .

1. Present 3^rd petition has been filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case bearing FIR No.055 dated 11.03.2024 registered for offences punishable under Sections 420, 120-B of IPC, at Police Station Kharar, District SAS Nagar.

2. On 17.03.2026, the following order was passed:-

“Apprehending his arrest in FIR No.55 dated 11.03.2024 registered for offences punishable under Sections 420, 120-B of IPC, at Police Station Kharar, District SAS Nagar; 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for the petitioner, inter alia, contends that the first petition for anticipatory bail filed by the petitioner was withdrawn as the petitioner had not given his complete antecedents therein; the second plea for anticipatory bail was declined by this Court not on merits but for the reason that the petitioner had failed to join investigation; the petitioner had, in-fact, failed to join investigation as he was wanted in another FIR but the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 27.02.2026 passed in SLP(Crl.) No.11320 of 2026 has afforded interim protection to the petitioner in the said FIR & 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 22.04.2026.

The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer on 23.03.2026 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 but his further custodial interrogation is required for effecting the recovery of money in question.

4. Having heard learned counsel for the rival parties and upon perusal of the record; especially keeping in view the factum of the petitioner having joined investigation & cooperated therein and his custodial interrogation being sought only for recovery of money in question; this Court is inclined to confirm the order dated 17.03.2026.

5. Accordingly, the petition is allowed and the order dated 17.03.2026, granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner is hereby made absolute, subject to the conditions as enumerated under Section 482(2) of BNSS..

6. 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.

7. 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, 2023 or upon showing any other sufficient cause.

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

9. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

(SUMEET GOEL)

JUDGE

22.04.2026

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