Punjab-Haryana High Court
Xxxxxxxxxxxx vs Xxxxxxxxxxxx on 27 April, 2026
CRM-M-69702-2025(O&M) 1
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
106
CRM-M-69702-2025(O&M)
Date of Decision:27.04.2026
RAHUL GOYAL ......Petitioner
Versus
STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR ....Respondents
CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE KIRTI SINGH
Present: Mr.Vibhor Bansal, Advocate
for the petitioner
Ms.Guramrit Kaur, DAG, Punjab.
Mr.S.K.Rattan, Advocate
for respondent No.2.
****
KIRTI SINGH, J. (ORAL)
1. Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS'), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, in case FIR No.557 dated 21.11.2025, under Sections 75, 79 and 296 of BNS registered at Police Station Zirakpur District SAS Nagar, Mohali.
2. Vide order dated 06.04.2026, passed by this Court, the petitioner was directed to join investigation. The relevant portion of the said order is reproduced hereinafter:-
"xxxx xxxx On 19.12.2025, this Court had passed the following order:
"Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, in case FIR No. 557 ANITA DEVI dated 21.11.2025 under Sections 75, 79 and 296 of BNS, 2023 2026.04.27 18:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-69702-2025(O&M) 2 registered at Police Station Zirakpur District SAS Nagar, Mohali.
Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner, who is a senior journalist having an unblemished career spanning from 1997 till date, presently is serving as Principal Correspondent with Dainik Savera Times newspaper, has been falsely implicated in the present FIR by the complainant, whom he had helped in securing an engagement with his media organization, upon her repeated requests relating to her financial condition and interest in journalism. It is the further the submission that there is an inordinate delay of 15 days in registration of the FIR, and that there is no material on record to corroborate the allegations contained against the petitioner therein. The petitioner is ready and willing to join investigation and co-operate.
Notice of motion.
Served with an advance copy of the petition, Ms. Guramrit Kaur, DAG, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State and seeks time to file reply.
Learned counsel for the petitioner prays for some time to implead the complainant in the petition.
Adjourned to 23.01.2026.
In the meantime, no coercive steps be taken against the petitioner till the next date of hearing."
Per contra, learned counsel for the State has opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel.
The case is adjourned to 27.04.2026 for arguments.
In the meantime, the petitioner shall join investigation before the Investigating Agency/Officer. He shall abide by the following conditions as envisaged under Section 482(2) BNSS, 2023;-
(1) That the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required to do so.
(2) That the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts to the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to Court or to any police officer.
(3) That the petitioner shall not leave India without prior ANITA DEVI 2026.04.27 18:01 permission of the Court.I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-69702-2025(O&M) 3
Needless to mention that the investigating agency/officer shall continue with the investigation of the case in usual manner. "
3. Learned State counsel, on instructions from SI Jeevan Singh, submits that in pursuance of the abovesaid order, the petitioner has joined the investigation on 14.04.2026.
4. Having considered the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the petition is allowed. Order dated 06.04.2026 passed by this Court, is hereby made absolute, subject to the condition enumerated under Section 482(2) BNSS.
5. This order should not be treated as "blanket" order. It will not be read as granting the petitioner(s) 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 with the investigating agency/complainant to move to this Court for a direction under Section 483(3) of BNSS, 2023 (erstwhile Section 439 (2) of Cr.P.C.), in the event of violation of any term, stipulated under Section 482(20 BNSS, or opon showing any other sufficient cuase.
7. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.
(KIRTI SINGH)
April 27, 2026 JUDGE
anita
Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No
Whether reportable : Yes/No
ANITA DEVI
2026.04.27 18:01
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document