BALJINDER SINGH AND ANOTHER Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Baljinder Singh and his father Nachattar Singh are seeking anticipatory bail in FIR no.101 dated 15.08.2014 registered under Sections 420 IPC at Police Station Sardulgarh, District Mansa.

(2.) Additional Sessions Judge had dismissed the application filed by the petitioners seeking anticipatory bail.

(3.) Few facts which are relevant are to be noticed first. Mahadeep Singh made a complaint against the petitioners and two other persons on the ground that accused Baljinder Singh had told them that he had links with the higher-ups and could get a license for Bharat Gas Agency at Talwandi Sabo and he would have to pay Rs.30 lacs. The complainant spoke to 2 3 persons and they were ready to become partners. The complainant spoke to Baljinder on the mobile phone and told him that they were ready to pay the cash. On different dates, the amount of rupees thirty lacs was paid. The complainant had pleaded that he had recordings of the conversation between him and the accused. Nachattar Singh was the Sarpanch of the village. He asked the complainant to hand over the amount to Jaswinder Singh on 22.08.2012. Thereafter, more amounts were paid on different dates. The complainant got a certificate regarding sanction of the gas agency. On verification, it was found that license pertained to Bharti Gas Agency and not Bharat Gas Agency. The complainant demanded his money back. Panchayats were convened but the amount was not returned. A complaint was given to the police and the inquiry was marked and it was found that Rs.8,00,000/- were transferred as security in the account of Nachattar Singh and Nachattar Singh got the dealership of Prachi Gas Bottling Pvt. Ltd. in the name of the complainant and the certificate had been handed over to him. It was also found that a sum of rupees ten lacs had been deposited with the agency and the remaining amount of rupees twenty lacs had been usurped. A taped conversation was handed over to the Investigating Officer.