Allowed

Somnath Goel v. State of Punjab

Punjab & Haryana HC24 Feb 2026CRM-M/37338/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Anticipatory bail petition arising from a matrimonial-discord FIR against the petitioner under multiple BNS provisions. The petitioner had joined investigation pursuant to an interim stay of arrest. The court allowed the petition and made the earlier interim order absolute, subject to standard conditions.

What did the court decide?

Interim bail-cum-stay-of-arrest order dated 16.7.2025 made absolute, subject to conditions including joining investigation and not leaving India without court permission.

Somnath Goel Vs State of Punjab — Dowry and Cruelty | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

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CRM-M-37338-2025 (O&M)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

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(110) CRM-M-37338-2025 (O&M) Date of Decision: 24.2.2026

Somnath Goel

......Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and another

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.....Respondents

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CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE KIRTI SINGH

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Present: Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu, Senior Advocate with Mr. Bhisam Kinger, Advocate for the petitioner.

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Ms. Guramrit Kaur, DAG, Punjab.

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Mr. Keshav Pratap Singh, Advocate for the complainant-respondent No. 2. ****

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KIRTI SINGH, J. (ORAL)

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CRM-8650-2026

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The instant application is for impleading the complainant as

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respondent No. 2 in the present petition

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The application is allowed as prayed for.

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The complainant is impleaded as respondent No. 2 in the

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present petition.

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Amended memo of parties is taken on record.

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Registry is directed to tag the same at the appropriate place.

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CRM-8651-2026

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The application is allowed as prayed for. Annexurex R/1 to R/5

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are taken on record.

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CRM-M-37338-2025

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Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of the

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GURPREET SINGH 2026.02.25 14:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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CRM-M-37338-2025 (O&M) -2-

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Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘ BNSS’ ), is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, in case FIR No. 109 dated 22.6.2025, under Sections 115(2), 126(2), 351(2), 85, 3(5) and 74 of BNS, 2023, registered at Police Station City Dhuri, District Sangrur.

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Vide order dated 16.7.2025, the petitioner was directed to join investigation. The said order is reproduced hereinafter:-

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“x x x x

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Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner inter alia submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that marriage between the petitioner and complainant-wife was solemnised on 16.10.2016 and this was complainant’s third marriage. She also brought along a male child, namely, Bhavesh Goel alias Yuvi from her previous relationship. Thereafter, a biological son, namely, Bhuvnesh Goyal was born out of the present wedlock in the year 2019. He further submits that complainant-wife is habitual of making allegations against her earlier husbands also. Present FIR is the result of the matrimonial discord between the petitioner and the complainant. He further submits that all the allegations levelled in the FIR are vague and false. He further submits that petitioner is ready to settle the dispute. He has placed reliance upon the judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Md. Asfak Alam v. The State of Jharkhand and another, 2023(3) R.C.R.(Criminal) 754 and Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCR 128 . He further submits that petitioner is not involved in any other case and he is still ready and willing to join the investigation.

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Notice of motion.

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Mr. Adhiraj Singh, AAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State and seeks time to file status report. Mr. Keshav Pratap Singh, Advocate, puts in appearance on behalf of the complainant.

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In the meanwhile, arrest of the petitioner shall remain stayed. He shall join the investigation and co-operate with the investigating agency and shall not leave the country without prior permission of the Court.”

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GURPREET SINGH 2026.02.25 14:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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CRM-M-37338-2025 (O&M) -3-

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Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Gurdev Singh, submits that in compliance of order dated 16.7.2025, the petitioner has joined the investigation and is not required for any further investigation.

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Having considered the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the petition is allowed. Order dated 16.7.2025 passed by this Court, is hereby made absolute.

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This order should not be treated as "blanket" order. It will not be read 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.

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This order does not in any manner limit or restrict the rights or duties of the police or investigating agency to investigate into the charges against the petitioner(s).

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The accused-petitioner(s) shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him or her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer.

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The accused-petitioner(s) shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court.

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The accused-petitioner(s) shall join the investigation as and when called by the police.

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It will be open to the police or the investigating agency to move to this Court for a direction under Section 483(3) of BNSS, 2023 (erstwhile Section 439(2) of Cr.P.C.) to arrest the accused-petitioner(s), in the event of violation of any term, such as absconding, non-cooperating during investigation, evasion, intimidation or inducement to witnesses with a view

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to influence outcome of the investigation or trial.

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GURPREET SINGH 2026.02.25 14:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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CRM-M-37338-2025 (O&M) -4-

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