Reeta Rani v. State of Punjab

CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 1 INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANA AToCHANDIGARH oooo CRM-M-64813-2024 ReetaoRani …...Petitioner Versus StateoofoPunjab …...Respondents oo CRM-M-64814-2024 oo ParwinderoSinghoandoanother …...Petitioners Versus StateoofoPunjab …...Respondents CRM-M-20597-2025 oo KamaljitoSingh …...Petitioner Versus StateoofoPunjab …...Respondents CRM-M-36542-2025 oo JaswinderoKaur …...Petitioner Versus StateoofoPunjab …...Respondents CRM-M-55567-2025 KirpaloSingho@oGarpaloSingh …...Petitioner Versus StateoofoPunjab …...Respondents

¶1DateowhenoOrderowasoreserved 17.11.2025

¶2PronouncementoofoOrder 04.12.2025

¶3DateoofouploadingoOrder 04.12.2025 CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 2

¶4WhetherooperativeopartoorofulloOrderois Full pronounced

¶5Delay,oifoany,oinopronouncingoofofullo NotoApplicable order,oandoreasonsothereof CORAM:o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoSANJAYoVASHISTH Present: Mr.oB.S.oKhehar,oAdvocateoforotheopetitioner(s) (CRM-M-64813-2024oandoCRM-M-64814-2024) Mr.oT.S.oChauhan,oAdvocateoando Mr.oKaranpreetoSingh,oAdvocateo Mr.oSomoNath,oAdvocateo forotheopetitioner(s) (inoCRM-M-20597-2025). Mr.oSahilpreetoSingh,oAdvocateoforo Mr.oKirpaloSingh,oAdvocateo forotheopetitioner(inoCRM-M-55567-2025) Ms.oSimsioDhiroMalhotra,oAdvocateo Forotheopetitionero(inoCRM-M-36542-2025) Mr.oNeerajoMadaan,oSr.oDAG,oPunjab. Mr.oM.P.S.oMann,oAdvocateoforotheocomplainant (inoCRM-M-64813-2024). o **** SANJAYoVASHISTH,oJ.

1.o Byowayoofothisocommonoorder,oallotheoabove-mentioned petitionsoareobeingodecidedotogetheroasotheyoariseooutoofotheosameoFIRoand commonoallegations. DETAILSoOFoPETITIONS Sr.oNo. PetitionoNo. Petitioner(s) NatureoofoPetition 1 CRM-M-64813-2024 ReetaoRani AnticipatoryoBail 2 CRM-M-64814-2024 ParwinderoSingho&oJyoti AnticipatoryoBailo (Joint) 3 CRM-M-20597-2025 KamaljitoSingh AnticipatoryoBail 4 CRM-M-36542-2025 JaswinderoKaur RegularoBail 5 CRM-M-55567-2025 KirpaloSingho@oGarpalo RegularoBail CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 3 A--otheoaforesaidopetitionsoariseofro(oFIRoNo(o143odated 03(12(2024,ore'isteredoatoPo-iceoStationo1arhshan7ar,o.istricto8oshiarp&r, &nderoSectionso4!+,o4#$,o46*,o46,,o46 ,o4,!,o!#$-Bo6PCo(correspondin' tooSectionso"!+(#),o"! (4),o""6(#),o"" ("),o""6("),o"4$(#)oando6!(#) B)S). #. /6Ro5asore'isteredoatotheoinstanceoofoChanderoShe7har MehtaosonoofoSh.oKishanoChandoMehta,o5hooa--e'edothat:- " My Taya ji (elder uncle), father and Chacha (younger uncle) died long ago. Our ancestral land has been sold on 08.07.2024, and the mutation of which has been got registered by Jaswinder Kaur wife of Kirpal Singh son Gurmel Singh in her own name fraudulently, by creating false documents, fake Aadhaar cards and by presenting forged persons and she has also availed a loan of Rupees 12 lakh from the Punjab National Bank, Sumundra, and also by preparing the forged sale deeds of other ancestral land, the mutations have been got registered. Hence, this entire matter the subject of investigation and the details of the evidence in this regard are as follows. 1. Shri Brahm Saran Mehta is the elder brother of my father, and byopreparing his fake Aadhaar card, the fake Aadhaar number 5418 0079 9993 has been used, while he died on 19.01.2006 in Delhi, who was Class one gazetted officer of the Ministry of Defence.

¶2Shri Shiv Saran Mehta the elder brother of my father, after preparing his fake Aadhar card, forged Aadhar No. 5528 4631 6477 has been used, while he died in Delhi on 29.05.1996, who was Civil Surgeon doctor.

¶3Shri Krishan Chand Mehta, my father, after preparing his fake Aadhar Card, the forged Adhaar No. 8429 6200 5247 has been used, he died on 13.09.2008 at Garhshankar, and he was CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 4

¶4Shri Parhlad Narain Mehta, the younger brother of my father, after preparing his fake Aadhar Card, the forged Adhaar No. 6502 8142 3301 has been used, whereas, he died in Delhi on

15.11.2020, who was Income Tax Officer.

¶5Shri Satgur Nath Mehta was the son of the brother of my grandfather,after preparing his forged Aadhar Card, the fake Adhaar Card No. 6502 8142 3301 has been used, while he died that Nawanshahr on 30 March 1990. His death certificate is also available. By presenting fake persons in place of these original persons the sale deed was got prepared by taking their thumb impressions, whereas all these persons were educated persons and now they do not exist in this world. On 08.07.2024, the sale deed of 12 kanals 18 Marlas land was registered in favour of Jaswinder Kaur wife of Kirpal Singh (Mobile No. 98789;37761 Aadhar No.5430 7785 4242) resident of Chak Hajipur, Tehsil Garhshankar vide Deed No. 2024; 25/166/1/821 Day Monday time 03:23:55 PM by the Tehsildar Lakhwinder Singh, Registry Clerk;Gurminder Singh, which was prepared the Deed Writer Sajan Kumar Advocate Garhshankar vide Registered No.324 on 01.07.2024 and Surjit Singh who is Numberdar of Garhshankar and by making the forged person as first witness in an illegal manner attested the same, and Kuldeep Singh son of Baljit Singh resident ofovillage Lohta, Tehsil Balachaur (Aadhar No.6550 4470 2499), on becoming the second witness testified the same, It is requested that a lot of owners of Mehta dynasty of village PanamHadbast No.149 who have already died, but by presenting fake persons, Kirpal Singh son of Gurmail Singh, resident of village Chak Hajipur Tehsil Garhshankar has got other registries in the name of his wife of Jaswinder Kaur and one registry has been done in the name of Reeta Rani wife of Devinderpal son of Mool Raj resident of Roopnagar, which is the subject of serious investigation. Deed No.2024;25/166/1/723, Dated 27.06.24 in favour of Jaswinder Kaur wife of Kirpal Singh regarding land CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 2 situated in village Panam (which was got registered in the name of his wife by presenting himself as her fake General Power of Attorney), Deed No. 2024;25/166/1/733, Dated 01.07.2024 in favour of Jaswinder Kaur wife of Kirpal Singh regarding land situated in village Panam. Deed No.2024;25/166/1/856 Dated

15.07.2024 in favour of Reeta, Rani wife of Davinder Pal son of Mool Raj residents of Roopnagar. The consent regarding cultivation of our land has been given since long to our respectable Joginder Singh Kang son of Diwan Singh village Chak Hajipur, who is cultivator as shareholder in it. Hence, I request that our elders are no more in this world, had they been alive then their age would have been more than 100 years. It is not possible for them to come and execute any such kind of registries. Shri Ram Rakha son of Shri Sukhdayal fake Aadhar No.3825 1823 9498 was the brother of my grandfather Shri Tarlok Chand Mehta, who has died long ago, who was 70 years old at that time. This whole matter is subject of impartial and serious investigation. With this a big scam would be unfolded. The persons of preparing forged Aadhar cards and their supporters have already entered for tarnishing in the internal security of India. It is very important to look at this serious matter and find out the accused. You are requested tootake immediate appropriate legal action against the persons involved in preparing the fake documents, using the forged documents, attesting the fake documents, writers of fake sale deeds, sellers, purchasers and persons playing fraud with the banks on the basis of forged documents, and all persons supporting them directly or directedly. Applicant, Chander Shekhar, Chander Shekhar Mehta son of Shri Kishan Chand Mehta, Deep Colony, Garhshankar Mobile No. 79868;80380 dated 13.09.2024" ". /ro(oreadin'oofotheo/6R,oitotranspiresothatoe-dersoofothe co(p-ainant,ona(e-4ohisofather,otayaoandochacha,ohadoe9piredo-on'oa'o, andotheoancestra-o-andoe9istin'oinotheirona(eso5asofra&d&-ent-4o'ot CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 6 registeredoandothereafteromutatedoinotheonameoofoJaswinderoKaurow/o KirpaloSinghobyoplayingofraudoandocreatingofalseodocuments,oincluding Aadhaarocardsoandootheropapers,obyoimpersonatingotheoactualoowners.oItois furtheroallegedothatosheoalsoosucceededoinoavailingoaoloanoofo₹12olakhs fromoPunjaboNationaloBankoonotheobasisoofotheseoforgedodocuments.

¶4Itoisofurtheroexplainedothatoseveralocloseorelativesoofothe complainantohaveopassedoaway.oComplainant'soTayaoJi,oShrioBrahmoSaran Mehta,owhoowasoservingoasoaoGazettedoOfficeroinotheoDefenceoMinistry, expiredoono19.01.2006oinoDelhi.oAnotheroTaya,oShrioShivoSaranoMehta, whoowasoaoCiviloSurgeon,oexpiredoono29.05.1996.oComplainant'sofather, ShrioKrishanoChandoMehta,oaooTurbineoMechanic,oexpiredoono13.09.2008. ShrioParhladoNarayanoMehta,otheocomplainant'soChachaoandoanoIncome TaxoOfficer,oexpiredoono15.11.2020.oAdditionally,oShrioSatguroNath Mehta,osonoofotheobrotheroofotheocomplainant'sograndfather,o odied

30.03.1990.

¶5Therefore,oinotheoFIRoitoisoallegedothatoallotheodisputedosale deedsodatedo08.07.2024opertainingotoolandomeasuringo12oKanalo18oMarla inofavouroofoaccused-JaswinderoKaurow/ooKirpaloSinghowereoregisteredoin connivanceowithootheroaccused,onamelyoTehsildaroLakhwinderoSingh, RegistryoClerkoGurwinderoSingh,oDeedoWriteroSajanoKumaro(Advocate), andoSurjitoSinghoNumberdaroofoVillageoGarhshankar,owhooalloactedoasoif theyoareooriginaloholdersotootheoposts,oappearedoasotheofirstowitnessooinothe illegal o sale. o Similarly, o accused o Kuldeep o Singh o became o the o second CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 7

¶6Itoisofurtheroallegedothatoaccused-KirpaloSinghogotothe registriesoexecutedoinotheonameoofohisowifeoJaswinderoKauroandoinothe nameoofoaccusedoReetaoRanioinorespectoofolandosituatedoinoVillageoPanam, whereinoKirpaloSinghopresentedohimselfoasoaofakeoGPA-holderofor executingosaleodeedsodatedo27.06.2024,o01.07.2024,oando15.07.2024.oFIR alsooclarifiesothatootheroancestors,osuchoasoShrioRamoRakhao(brotheroofothe complainant'sograndfather),ohadodiedoaroundo70oyearsoago,oandothat,ohad theoancestorsobeenoaliveotoday,otheyowouldohaveobeenomoreothano100oyears ofoage.oThus,oanoimpartialoandoseriousoinvestigationowasorequestedobyothe complainantoinotheoFIR.

¶7In oCRM-M-64813-2024 o (Reeta o Rani's o case),o it o was explainedothatotheocaseowasoregisteredoagainst:

(i)oKirpaloSingh,o(ii)oJaswinderoKaur,o(iii)oReetaoRani,o(iv)oSurjitoSingh,

(v) o Gurdeep o Singh, o (vi) o Jyoti o Verma, o (vii) o Kuldeep o Singh, o (viii) Parwinder,oando(ix)oRajeshoKumar,oAdvocate.

¶8Inotheostatusoreportodatedo26.10.2025oin oCRM-M-64813-2024o(ReetaoRani'socase),oroleoofoeachoaccusedowasodescribedoasounder:

i) KirpaloSinghogotoexecutedoaoGeneraloPoweroofoAttorneyodated

21.06.2024oinohisoownofavourobyoimpersonatingotheoownersoJanakioLal, BiharioLaloandoBatalioRam,osonsoofoPrabhdyal,owhereasotheyohadoalready expiredolongoago.oKirpaloSinghothereafteroexecutedoaosaleodeedoofoland measuringo7oKanalo6oMarlaoinotheonameoofohisowifeoJaswinderoKauroon

27.06.2024. CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 8 AsoperotheodisclosureostatementoofoaccusedoKirpaloSingh,oforotheopurpose ofoexecutingotheoforgedoGPAodatedo21.06.2024oandotheosaleodeedodated

27.06.2024,ohisoco-accusedoJyotioVerma,oSandeepoKumar,oandooneopeon namelyoKamaljitoSingh,oinotheoRevenueoDepartment,opreparedofabricated Aadhaarocardsoandoarrangedofakeopersonsorequiredoforoimpersonationoof theoactualoowners. Duringoinvestigation,oitoalsootranspiredothatoaccusedoKirpaloSingh hadoprojectedohimselfoinotheoGPAodatedo24.06.2024oaso"GurpaloSingh"oon hisoAadhaarocard,otherebyoattemptingotoomisleadotheoinvestigatingoagency byousingotwoodifferentonameso(KirpaloSinghoandoGurpaloSingh).

ii) Withorespectotooaccused-JaswinderoKaur,otheostatusoreportostates thatosheowasoarrestedoono02.04.2025.oSheogotoexecutedoaosaleodeedodated

01.07.2024oofolandomeasuringo4oKanalo2oMarlaobyoimpersonatingotheoreal owners,onamelyoDilbagh,oSatguroNath,oandoHarioKrishan,osonsoofoMatta Duttor/ooVillageoPanam,owhoohadoalreadyodied. Anotherosaleodeedodatedo08.07.2024oofolandomeasuringo12oKanalo18 MarlaowasoalsooexecutedobyoJaswinderoKaurobyoimpersonatingotheoalready deceasedorealoowners,onamelyoRamoRakha,oRamoLal,oGurbaxoRai,oBeant Rai,oShivoCharan,oKishanoChandoandoParhladoNarayanor/ooVillageoPanam. Accused-ReetaoRanio(motheroofoco-accusedoJyotioVerma)oalsooexecutedoa saleodeedodatedo15.07.2024oofolandomeasuringo11oKarnalo14oMarlaoby impersonatingotheorealoownersowhoohadoalreadyodied,onamelyoMalavi Devi,oDevkioRani,oDavinderoPal,oMohanoKumari,oSudharshanoKumari, CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 9 BiharioLal,oBatlioRam,oJanakioLal,oDinaoNath,oVidyasagar,oandoSatgur Nathor/ooVillageoPanam.

iii) Duringoinvestigation,oco-accusedoSurjitoSingho(Lambardar) andoGurdipoSinghowereofoundotoohaveowitnessedotheoGPAoexecutedoin favouroofoKirpaloSingh.oSurjitoSingh o(Lambardar),oKuldeepoSingh, ParwinderoSinghoandoAdvocateoRajeshoKumaroareotheowitnessesotoothe saleodeedsoexecutedobyoaccusedoReetaoRanioandoJaswinderoKaur.

iv) WhenotheoanticipatoryobailopetitionoofoReetaoRaniowas pendingobeforeothisoCourt,oitowasonoticedothatotheoinvestigatingoofficerohad notoevenoarrestedotheomainoaccusedoKirpaloSinghoandoJaswinderoKaur. Accordingly, o both o of o them o were o arrested o on o 02.04.2025 o at o the interventionoofothisoCourt

¶9Fromotheoaboveoexplanation,oitobecomesoclearothatotheoprime role,oifoany,oinotheocommissionoofotheooffencesoinoquestionowasoinitiatedoat theoinstanceoofoaccusedoonamely,oKirpaloSingh,ohisowifeoJaswinderoKaur, andoReetaoRani,owhooultimatelyoderivedorightsoinotheolandodueotoothe executionoofotheoquestionedosaleodeeds.

¶10Duringotheopendencyoofotheoanticipatoryobailopetitions―i.e., thatoofoReetaoRanio(CRM-M-64813-2024)oandothatoofoParwinderoSingh andoJyotio(CRM-M-64814-2024)―byorecordingotheocontentionsoofothese three o petitioners, o interim o anticipatory o bail o was o granted o to o accused ParwinderoSinghoandoJyotiovideoorderodatedo20.12.2024,owhichoreadsoas under: CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 10 " The petitioners seek grant of anticipatory bail in respect of a case registered vide FIR No.179, dated 3.12.2024 at Police Station Garhshankar, District Hoshiarpur, under Sections 319(2), 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) (under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120;B of Indian Penal Code). The FIR in question was lodged at the instance of Chander Shekhar Mehta, wherein it is alleged that his father, his 'Taya Ji' (elder uncle) and 'chacha' (younger uncle) had died long ago. It is alleged that their ancestral land has been sold to various persons on the basis of forged documents including Power of Attorney/ forged Aadhar Card etc. and mutation had also been got sanctioned in favour of Jaswinder Kaur wife of Kripal Singh. It is alleged that while Shri Brahm Saran Mehta (complainant's uncle) had expired on 19.1.2006 in Delhi; another of complainant's uncle namely Shri Shiv Saran Mehta had expired on 29.5.1996; complainant's father Shri Krishan Chand Mehta had expired on 13.9.2008 and another of complainant's uncle Shri Parhlad Narain Mehta had expired on

15.11.2020, whereas the sale deeds had been executed much after their death by way of impersonation or on the basis of some forged Power of Attorney, whereas any such Power of Attorney would lose its sanctity upon death of the executors. It is further alleged therein that Tehsildar Lakhwinder Singh, Registry Clerk Gurminder Singh, Deed Writer Sachin Kumar, Advocate, Surjit Singh Nambardar had all connived for the purpose of said fraud and that the sale deeds had been witnessed by Kuldeep Singh. Learned counsel for the petitioner(s) submitted that the petitioners have falsely been implicated in the present case and that petitioner – Reeta Rani had purchased the land on the basis of sale deeds, which were duly registered in the office of Revenue Department and that in case there was any defect in the title or the seller had impersonated or had committed any fraud, she was not aware of the same and that she had purchased the property CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 11 by making payments and, as such, deserves to be given the benefit of doubt being a bona fide purchaser. It has also been submitted that as a matter of fact the land purchased by petitioner ; Reeta Rani is a different piece of land and is not part of the ancestral property of the complainant and that her vendors are entirely different and there is nothing wrong in the sale deed executed in her favour. Learned counsel while pressing upon the petition filed on behalf of petitioners – Parwinder Singh and Jyoti submitted that admittedly none of them is a beneficiary of the alleged fraudulent sale deeds and that they have been nominated as accused on the premises that they had signed as witnesses on the sale deeds. It has been submitted that merely witnessing a sale deed is not sufficient to attribute any fraudulent intention on the part of the petitioners and, as such, they deserve to be released on anticipatory bail. Notice of motion for 14.01.2025. Meanwhile, in the event of arrest, petitioners – Parwinder Singh and Jyoti be released on interim bail subject to his furnishing personal bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of Arresting/Investigating Officer. However, petitioners – Parwinder Singh and Jyoti shall join the investigation as and when called upon to do so and cooperate with the Investigating Officer and shall also abide by the conditions as provided under Section 482 BNSS. Petitioner – Reeta Rani shall furnish detailed information as regards her vendors and also as regards her source of income on the next date of hearing. A copy of this order be placed on the file of connected case"# %hereafter,osaidointeri(oordero5asocontin&edod&rin'oa--os&2seB&ent proceedin's. CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 12 11( >no#!.$".#$#*,oinotheocaseoofopetitioner-acc&sedoReetaoRani (CRM-M-64 !"-#$#4), o a-tho&'h o she o 5as o not o directed o to o 0oin o the investi'ation,oheroarresto5asosta4ed.o>rderoreadsoaso&nder: "1. During the course of the hearing, it was understood from the respective counsels that the main accused, namely, Kirpal Singh, husband of Jaswinder Kaur, executed a fraudulent power of attorney in his own favour on 24.06.2024. In this power of attorney, one Jyoti was a witness, who in fact, is the daughter of one of the accused, Reeta Rani (thepetitioner herein). Subsequently, as a power of attorney holder of originalowners, Kirpal Singh executed two sale deeds, transferring the land in the name of his own wife namely Jaswinder Kaur, i.e. sale deeds dated 08.07.2024 (for 12 kanal 18 marlas) and 27.06.2024 (for 7 kanal 6 marlas)

¶2Similarly, another sale deed was executed in favour of the accused, namely, Reeta Rani (petitioner herein), for 11 Kanal 14 Marlas, dated 15.07.2024. This sale deed was executed by projecting, as if, the actual owners have sold it in favour of Reeta Rani. Notably, the mobile number 98789;37761 as mentioned in the sale deed, is the same number which is there in the sale deeds executed in favour of Jaswinder Kaur, also. However, learned counsel for the complainant, the learned State counsel, or the Investigating Officeropresent in court, are not in a position to explain, as to whom this mobile number actually belongs.

¶3It has also been brought to the Court's attention that, till date, neither Jaswinder Kaur nor Kirpal Singh, who prima facie seems to be the actual conspirators, and also never have been granted bail, nor any substantive action has been taken by the Investigating Agency to arrest them. Court wishes to know and understand the reason behind this.

¶4List again on 01.04.2025.
 



      However, it is made clear that if the necessary legal steps are not taken before the next date of hearing, the concerned Senior Superintendent of Police would ensure his presence before this Court on the next date of hearing, to clarify the facts.

¶5In the meanwhile, petitioner ; Reeta Rani shall not be arrested. However, question of joining of the investigation by the petitioner, would be examined on the next date of hearing.

¶6Interim order dated 20.12.2024, passed in CRM;M; 64814;2024, would also continue till the next date of hearing.

¶7Let copy of this order be sent to the concerned SSP for necessary action." !# A   $ $ #$#*     

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'&& ) 85   -    (   -   /6 F  2'   4    2 (  &  -   --' '  CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 14 landomentionedoinotheoFIR.oCounselofurtherosubmittedothatotheosale considerationoofoaboutoRs.28,48,000owasodulyopaidoafteromakingothe necessaryoarrangements,oasoevidencedobyotheonotarizedoaffidavitodated

11.01.2025oexecutedobyoAmrikoSinghoandoJogaoSingh.oItowasofurther arguedothatoalthough,oheroarrestowasostayedobyothisoCourtobutothe statementobyotheoStateocounsel,oallegingonon-cooperationobyotheopetitioner underscoresoherowillingnessotoojoinotheoinvestigation,owhereasosheois alwaysoreadyotoodooso. Learnedocounselobroadlyoarguedothatowhetherotheopetitioner's purchaseoofotheolandoconstitutesoaofraudulentotransaction,oisoanoissue whichowouldoobeoexaminedobyotheotrialocourtoonotheobasisoofoevidence,oyet toobeoadducedobeforeoit.

¶14With o regard o to o the o remaining o two o accused, o namely ParwinderoSinghoandoJyoti,oMr.oB.S.oKheharosubmittedothatotheyoareonot directobeneficiariesoofotheoallegedofraudulentotransaction.oBeingomerely witnessesotootheosaleodeed,otheyoareonotorequiredotooundergoocustodial interrogation.oAnyoallegationoagainstothemoisotoobeoestablishedothrough documentaryoevidence,oandobothotheopetitionersoareoalwaysoreadyoand willingotoocontinueotoocooperateoduringotheoinvestigation,owheneveroitois required.oItowasofurtheropointedooutothat,oinoviewoofotheointerimoorder datedo20.12.2024,obothoParwinderoSinghoandoJyotiohaveoalreadyobeen participatedoinotheoinvestigation. Additionally,olearnedocounseloarguedothatotheosaleodeed executedoinofavouroofoReetaoRani,owhichowasowitnessedobyoheroco-CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 15 accusedoParwinderoSinghoandoJyoti,ohasosinceobeenocancelled,oandothe landohasoalsoobeenorestoredobackoinotheonamesoofotheopreviousoowners,ono purposeowouldobeoachievedowithotheocustodialointerrogationoofoanyoofothe petitioners.o Accordingly,ocounseloprayedoforograntoofotheoanticipatory bailotooallotheothreeopetitionersonamelyoReetaoRanio(inoCRM-M-64813-2024),oParwinderoSinghoandoJyotio(inoCRM-M-64814-2024). SubmissionoonoBehalfoofoPetitioneroKamaljitoSingho(CRM-M-20597-2025)

¶15Mr.oT.S.oChauhan,olearnedocounselorepresentingopetitioner KamaljitoSingh,osubmittedothatotheopetitioneroisoemployedoasoaoClass-IV peonoinotheoTehsiloOffice,oGarshankar,oforoapproximatelyo20oyearsoand wasoneverofoundoinvolvedoinoanyootherosimilaroactivityoinotheopast.oHis dutyowasolimitedoi.e.otooserveonotices,oinocomplianceowithotheoorderodated

06.09.2024,oinoconnectionowithowhichoheosubmittedohisoreport.oAsoperothe record,onoofaultohasobeenofoundoinohisofunctioning,oexceptoforotheobald allegations o mentioned o in o the o reply/status o report. o Learned o counsel emphasizedothatotheopetitionerocannotobeoconsideredoaobeneficiaryoinoany manner o of o the o alleged o fraud o committed o by o the o other o co-accused. Therefore,othereoisonoogainoattributedotoohim,oandoheoshouldonotobe subjectedotoocustodialointerrogation.oHowever,opetitioneroKamaljitoSingh hasoexpressedohisowillingnessotoojoinotheoinvestigationoifopermitted,owhile CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 16 SubmissionoonoBehalfoofoPetitioneroKirpaloSingho@oGarpaloSingh (CRM-M-55567-2025)

¶16LearnedocounselorepresentingopetitioneroKirpaloSingho@ Garpal o Singh, o aged o 59 o years,o submitted othat o theo case o against o the petitioneroisofalse.oTheolandoinoquestionowasosoldotoohisowife,oJaswinder Kaur,othroughoaobankoloanoofoRs.12olakhs.oHadothereobeenoanyomotiveoto commitofraudoforounlawfulomonetaryogainoorotoograboland,othereowould haveobeenonooreasonotooborrowoaobankoloan.oAnyofakeowitnesses,oif produced,owereonotoatotheopetitioner'soinstance,obutoratheroatotheoinstance ofootheroaccused.oItowasofurtherosubmittedothatotheowitnessesowereoduly identifiedobyotheoLambardaroandotheoattestingowitnessoKuldeepoSingh; therefore,otheopetitionerocouldonotohaveoknowledgeoofotheodeathoofothe originaloowners,oasoallegedoinotheoFIR.oLearnedocounselofurtheroargued that o the o charges o primarily o depend o on o documentary o evidence, o and custodial o interrogation o would o not o serve o any o meaningful o purpose. Moreover,otheopetitionerohasobeenoinocustodyoforomoreothanosevenomonths andofifteenodays,oandonothingofurtheroremainsotoobeorecoveredofromohim. Consideringothatotheotrialoisolikelyotootakeoconsiderableotime,olearned counseloprayedoforotheograntooforegularobail. SubmissionoonoBehalfoofoPetitioneroJaswinderoKaurow/ooKirpaloSingh @oGarpaloSingho(CRM-M-36542-2025)

¶17Ms.o Simsi oDhir oMalhtora, o learnedo counselo representing petitioneroJaswinderoKaur,osubmittedoargumentsoinotheosameotermsoas thoseo addressed o on obehalfo ofo petitioner-Kirpal o Singh. o It o iso further CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 17 submittedothat,otooprotectoherorightsoinotheopurchasedoland,otheopetitioner hasofiledoCiviloSuitoNo.oCS-614/2024oono08.01.2024,oseekingoaodecreeoof declarationoandopermanentoinjunction.oUntilotheosaidocivilosuitoisodecided, noodefinitiveoconclusionocanobeodrawnoregardingotheoallegationsoof fraudulentopurchaseoofotheolandoinoquestion.oLearnedocounselofurther submittedothatopetitioneroJaswinderoKauromayosucceedoinotheocivilosuitoon theopleaoofobeingoaobonaofideopurchaseroevenoifofraudoisoproved,oasothe propertyowasopurchasedothroughoaobankoloanoofoRs.12olakhsofromoPunjab NationaloBank.oItoisoalsoosubmittedothatotheopetitionerohasobeenoinocustody since o 02.04.2025, o and o any o further o incarceration o would o serve o no meaningfulopurpose,oasonothingomoreoisotoobeorecoveredofromoher. LearnedocounseloprayedoforotheoreleaseoofopetitioneroJaswinderoKauroon regularobailobyoallowingotheopetition. ArgumentsoofoLearnedoStateoCounsel

¶18LearnedoStateocounsel,owhileoopposingotheoprayeroforobailoon behalfoofotheorespectiveopetitioners,osubmittedothatotheoroleoofoeachooofothe accusedohasobeenoclearlyodelineatedoinotheoreply/statusoreportofiledobyothe State.oPrimaryocontentionoraisedobyolearnedoStateocounseloisothatoduring theoinvestigation,oitowasofoundothatoatotheotimeooforegistrationoofoallothe aforesaidosaleodeeds,oasowelloasotheopreparationoofotheopoweroofoattorney byoaccusedoKirpaloSingh,oonlyoaosingleomobileonumber,oi.e.,o9878937761, wasoused,owhichoisoregisteredoinotheonameoofoRajwinderoKaur,odaughteroof CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 18 Mr. o Neeraj o Madaan, o Senior o Deputy oAdvocate o General, Punjab,osubmittedothatotheoinvolvementoofoaccusedoKirpaloSinghoandohis familyomembers,oincludingoJaswinderoKauroandoReetaoRani,oappearsotoobe evident.oTheofactothatotheosameomobileonumberowasomentionedoinothe executionoofomultipleodocumentsoindicatesoaopremeditatedoactoallegedly committedoinocollusionoamongothem. Learned o State o counsel o further o contended o that o custodial interrogationoofoaccusedoReetaoRanioisonecessaryotooascertainotheoactual truth,oasosheosucceededoinoacquiringorightsooveroaosubstantialoportionoof landomeasuringo11oKanaloando14oMarlaovideosaleodeedodatedo15.07.2024.o CourtoObservation

¶19Iohaveocarefullyoconsideredotheosubmissionsoaddressedobyothe respectiveocounselobeforeothisoCourt.oIohaveoalsooperusedotheopleadings, reply/status o report, o and o the o notes o submitted o during o the o course o of arguments.

¶20Thereocanobeoanyodisputeothatoallotheooffencesoinvolvedoinothe presentocaseoareotriableobyotheoCourtoofolearnedoMagistrate.oApparently, theoprimeoaccusedoinothisomatteroareoKirpaloSinghoandoJaswinderoKaur, who,oaccordingotootheoFIR,ofirstocausedoaoGeneraloPoweroofoAttorneyotoobe preparedoinoKirpaloSingh'sonameothroughoimpersonationobyofictitious persons,oandosubsequentlyoexecutedosaleodeedsoinofavouroofoJaswinder Kaur.oBothoofothemowereoarrestedoono02.04.2025oandohaveosinceobeenoin custody, o having o undergone o investigation o and o interrogation o by o the CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 19 InvestigatingoAgencyoforoaoperiodoofoapproximatelyosevenomonthsoand twentyodays.oAtothisostage,othereoisonoojustificationoforosubjectingothemoto furtherocustodialointerrogationoforotheopurposeoofoeffectingoanyorecovery, particularlyoasotheotrialoisonotolikelyotooconcludeoinotheonearofutureoand mayotakeoconsiderableotime.

¶21AsoregardsopetitioneroReetaoRanio(CRM-M-64813-2024), althoughosheohadotemporarilyoacquiredorightsoinotheoproperty,oMr.oB.S. Khehar,oAdvocate,ohasopointedooutothatotheosaleodeedsoinoherofavourohave alreadyobeenocancelledobyotheoofficeoofotheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrate videoorderodatedo23.09.2024.oLearnedoStateocounselocouldonotoexplainoas tooohowocustodialointerrogationoofotheoaccusedowouldomateriallyoassistothe prosecution, o particularly o when o the o allegations o primarily o require verificationothroughodocumentaryoevidence.oRecordsoregardingoAadhaar cards,oregisteredosaleodeeds,omutations,oandoJamabandis,oamongoothers, areoexpectedotoobeoavailableoinotheoconcernedopublicooffices. EarlieroarrestoofopetitioneroReetaoRaniohadobeenostayed;ooand videoorderodatedo01.04.2025,oanoopportunityowasospecificallyoprovidedoto theoStateotoosummonoheroforoinvestigationobyoservingoproperonotice.oThe relevantoportionoofotheoorderoreadsoasofollows: "5. Itoisoalsooclarifiedothatoinocaseotheoaccusedonamed ReetaoRani,oParwinderoSingh,oandoJyotioareorequiredotoojoin theoinvestigation,otheyoshouldobeoservedonoticeoinoadvance, andoanyoviolationoinothatoregardowouldobeoviewedoseriously forotakingostrictoactionoagainstotheoChiefoofoPoliceoinothe District." CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 20 Accordingly,o oStateocontinuesotoohaveotheoopportunityoto examineotheopetitioneroinoconnectionowithotheoinvestigation.oItoisoalso well-settledothatocustodialointerrogationocannotobeoconsideredotheosole methodoforoconductingoanoinvestigationounlessosubstantiatedowithospecific reasons.

¶22AsofaroasopetitionersoParwinderoSinghoandoJyotio(CRM-M-64814-2024)oareoconcerned,othisoCourtohadoalreadyograntedothemothe opportunity o to o join o the o investigation o vide o order o dated o 20.12.2024. Learned o counsel o for o the o petitioners o has o submitted o that o both o have compliedo with othis o direction oand ohaveo activelyo participated oino the investigation.

¶23Regardingopetitioner-KamaljitoSingh,oheodoesonotoappearoto beoaodirectobeneficiaryoofotheoallegedofraud,ostilloinvolvementoisotoobe proved.oTherefore,othereoappearsotoobeonoosuchonecessityotoosubjectohimoto custodialointerrogationoinotheoabsenceoofoanyosoundoreason.

¶24Inotheototalityoofocircumstances,oconsideringotheoroleoofoeach accused,oallotheoaforementionedopetitionsoareoallowedoinotheofollowing terms:

i)oCRM-M-55567-2025o–oKirpaloSingho@oGarpaloSingh

ii)oCRM-M-36542-2025o–oJaswinderoKaur PetitionersoKirpaloSingho@oGarpaloSinghoandoJaswinder Kauroare oorderedotoobeoreleasedoonoregularobail,osubjectotootheir furnishingotheorequisiteobail/suretyobondsotootheosatisfactionoofotheolearned CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 21 TrialoCourt/ChiefoJudicialoMagistrate/IllaqaoMagistrate/DutyoMagistrate concerned,oprovidedotheyoareonotorequiredoinoanyootherocase.

iii)CRM-M-64813-2024o–oReetaoRani

iv)CRM-M-20597-2025o–oKamaljitoSingh PetitionersoReetaoRanioandoKamaljitoSingh,owereoprotected fromoarrestovideoordersodatedo21.03.2025oando21.04.2025,passedobyothis Court,owhichoisocontinuingotillodate.oTheyoare odirectedotoojoinothe investigationowithinothreeoweeksofromotoday,ooroasoandowhenorequiredoby the o Investigating oAgency o upon o issuance o of o a o valid o notice o by o the InvestigatingoOfficer.oInocaseotheyofailotoodooso,otheoconcessionoofobail shallobeodeemedotoohaveobecomeoinoperative. Uponojoiningotheoinvestigationoandoinocaseoofotheiroarrest, theyoshallobeoreleasedoonobail,osubjectotoofurnishingobailobondsotoothe satisfactionoofotheoArrestingoOfficer.oFurtherotheyoshalloalsoocomplyowith alloconditionsolaidodownounderoSectiono482(2)oofoBNSS,o2023. However,opresentoorderowouldobeosubjectotootheosubmission ofotheiropassportotootheoInvestigatingoAgencyoorotooCourtoconcerned,oif theyopossess,owithinoaoperiodoofooneoweekofromotoday.oOtherwise,othey wouldosubmitoanoaffidavit,odisclosingotheofactothatotheyodoonotopossessoany passport. It o is o clarified o that o in o case, o aforesaid o condition o is o not compliedowith,othisoorderowouldobeoconsideredoasononoestoautomatically.

v)oCRM-M-64814-2025o–oParwinderoSinghoandoJyoti CRM-M-64813-2024oandootheroconnectedocases 22 6nothisopetition,o&nter&6oorderodatedo20(12(2024o&so6ade a.so7*te.o8o5ever,opetitionersoPar5inderoSin'hoando:4otiosha--ocontin&e too-o&notheo&n9est&1at&onoasoandotihenoreE*&redoandosha--ostrict-4oco(p-4 5ithotheoconditionsoenvisa'edo&nderoSectiono4 #(#)oofotheoB)SS,o#$#". However, present order would be subject to the submission of their passport to the Investigating Agency or to Court concerned, if they possess, within a period of one week from today. Otherwise, they would submit an affidavit, disclosing the fact that they do not possess any passport. It is clarified that in case, aforesaid condition is not complied with, this order would be considered as non operative automatically. Accordingly, all petitions stand disposed of. A photocopy of this order be placed on the files of other connected cases. 04(12(2022 @+"N!"%o)"+HI+THB Rashmi !U$GE