[Cites 2, Cited by 0]
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
dated 21.11.2025 under Sections 75, 79 and 296 of BNS, 2023
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
permission of the Court.
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
