SUKHJINDER SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner seeks grant of anticipatory bail in a case registered in a case arising out of above mentioned FIR.

(2.) The FIR was lodged at the instance of Chamkaur Singh and Love Kumar for initiating action against Sukhjinder Singh, SHO P.S. Bhadaur, ASI Manjit Singh and HC Hardev Singh. Complainant Love Kumar levelled allegations that ASI Manjit Singh used to visit his shop and used to threaten that his business of scrap dealing is illegal as he is not possessing any license for the same. That on 14/12/2022, ASI Manjit Singh came to his shop and asked to show the license, but when complainant told that he has no knowledge about any license to run the said business of scrap, ASI Manjit Singh threatened to register FIR against him and also took away Rs.2000.00. Further, on 30/12/2022, ASI Manjit Singh alongwith SHO Sukhjinder Singh Sandhu (petitoner) and one more police official came to his shop and started abusing him on the pretext that he is not having any license to run the business of scrap and also summoned him to the police station. He is having CCTV footage of the said incident. That on the same day at about 6.00 pm, he went to the police station, where HC Hardev Singh told him that if he has to run his business, he has to pay for the same. That thereafter about 9.07 pm, he received WhatsApp call on his mobile phone whereby demand of illegal gratification of Rs.20,000.00 was made from him being the expenses of the police. Thereafter ASI Manjit Singh, SHO Sukhjinder Singh and HC Hardev Singh kept on continuously harassing him to pay Rs.20,000.00 failing which his business will be shutdown or false case shall be got registered against him. Similar allegations have been levelled by complainant Chamkaur Singh in his separate complaint that ASI Manjit Singh took Rs.30,000.00 from him and further threatened that in case further amount is not given, then false case shall be got registered against him.

(3.) Reply by way of affidavit of Mr. Ravinder Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tapa, District Barnala has been filed. The same is taken on record. A copy of the same has been furnished to learned counsel opposite.