IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-25743-2026 Date of decision: 21.05.2026 DHARAMINDER SINGH ….Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB ....Respondent CORAM:- HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL Present:- Mr. Raghav Gulati, Advocate and Mr. Rahul Kesar, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Amrit Kaur Mahir, AAG Punjab.

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RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J. (ORAL)

1. Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.0069 dated 08.04.2026 registered under Sections 256, 336(2), 336(3), 339, 340(2) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at Police Station Sadar Tarn Taran, District Tarn Taran.

2. Brief facts as per the prosecution case are that the petitioner in connivance with other co-accused used forged signatures of ASI Balbir Singh and affixed on the verification report by giving ‘no objection’ to release the passport of accused Shehnaz Singh @ Shehnaz Binder, thereby facilitating his escape abroad despite having the knowledge of his criminal antecedents. Hence, the present FIR.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and has only been nominated to save the real culprits. He further submits that no objection for the release of passport of Shehnaz Singh @ Shehnaz Binder had passed through several hands before reaching its final stage, which clearly establishes that the petitioner was neither the author nor the approving authority. He submits that the allegations against the petitioner pertaining to forged signatures is based on preliminary inquiry whereas no scientific or FSL report has been produced on record to link the petitioner’s handwriting to the alleged forged signature of ASI Balbir Singh. No recovery is to be effected from him. Moreover, the petitioner has clean antecedents as he is not involved in any other case. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to do so by the investigating agency. Hence, he prays that present petition be allowed.

4. After registration of the FIR, investigation has been initiated and is under way. Apprehending his arrest, the petitioner had moved an application for grant of anticipatory bail which has been dismissed by the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tarn Taran, vide order dated

30.04.2026.

5. On the other hand, learned State counsel has filed the status report in the matter, which is taken on record and while referring to the same, she has vehemently opposed the prayer of the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail on the ground that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are serious in nature. She argued that the petitioner in collusion with the other co-accused intentionally proceeded to process and recommend a favourable verification report for release of passport of one Shehnaz Singh @ Shehnaz Binder having criminal antecedents to facilitate his escape abroad. She further submits that during enquiry it has surfaced that the relevant verification documents were never brought to the notice of the concerned SHO and even ASI Balbir Singh has denied having signed the verification report. She submits that forged signatures of ASI Balbir Singh were affixed on the report and the involvement of the petitioner has emerged in preparation, movement and use of forged verification report. She further submitted that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is required for a fair and proper investigation in the matter as well as to ascertain his exact role involved in the alleged offence. Hence, she prays for dismissal of the petition.

6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. The allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. The material collected during investigation prima facie reveals that the petitioner, in connivance with the co-accused, participated in