Written by Manraj Grewal SharmaChandigarh | November 20, 2025 01:55 PM IST 5 min readHolding that the custodial interrogation of the parents was not required, the court underlined the principle that “pre trial incarceration should not be a replica of post conviction sentencing”. (Express Photo)The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday granted pre-arrest bail to a Sangrur couple booked for cheating and criminal conspiracy on a complaint by their son-in-law, who alleged that his in-laws and wife induced him into a “contract marriage” on the promise of taking him to Canada and then cheated him of lakhs of rupees.Justice Manisha Batra allowed the plea filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by Paramjeet alias Paramjit Kaur and her husband, parents of Prabhjot Kaur, in a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Sadar Sangrur police station under sections 420 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code.According to the FIR, complainant Satwinder Singh married Prabhjot on September 4, 2022, after mediators allegedly represented that she had cleared IELTS and would take him to Canada after marriage. A written agreement was executed between the families under which Rs 25 lakh was to be given for Prabhjot’s study fees in Canada, her stay there and marriage expenses. The complainant’s family allegedly transferred Rs 6,85,708 and Rs 7 lakh into the petitioners’ bank accounts, besides spending additional amounts to facilitate her going abroad.The complainant alleged that no money was spent by the bride’s family on the marriage and that Prabhjot returned to her parental home just two days after the wedding. He alleged that the petitioners then began demanding more money, even though he had already spent about Rs 18 lakh. He further alleged that Prabhjot later went to Canada but made no effort to take him along, and that the couple and their daughter had conspired from the beginning to cheat him and cause wrongful loss.The counsel for the petitioners argued that they had been falsely implicated and that soon after the marriage, Satwinder filed a civil suit for permanent injunction to restrain Prabhjot from leaving India, lodged cheating complaints, and also made allegations about her appearance.They also submitted that the money credited to their accounts had already been utilised to pay Prabhjot’s fees to Algoma University, Canada, and that a thorough investigation had earlier been conducted in the matter, with a cancellation report submitted showing the dispute to be essentially civil in nature. Emphasising that the case rested on documents already with the police, they contended that they were ready to join the investigation, that no recovery was required, and that custodial interrogation was not necessary.The state and Satwinder opposed the plea, arguing that there were serious and specific allegations that the parents, in connivance with their daughter, cheated the complainant and caused him wrongful loss, and that their custodial interrogation was necessary for recovery and a thorough probe.Custodial interrogation not required: HCStory continues below this adAfter hearing both sides, the court examined documents, including a prior complaint by Satwinder to the senior superintendent of police, Sangrur, where he said he had been duped and also alleged that while he had been told Prabhjot had only a minor injury mark on her forehead, he later discovered she had undergone major surgery and had stitches all over her head.Justice Batra noted that it was not disputed before the court that the amount deposited in the petitioners’ bank accounts had been used for depositing Prabhjot’s study fees in Algoma University even before the marriage. On these facts, the court observed that “it appears to be a case of breach of a contract” and that the case was based on documentary evidence, diminishing the need for custodial interrogation.Holding that the custodial interrogation of the parents was not required, the court underlined the principle that “pre trial incarceration should not be a replica of post conviction sentencing”. Justice Batra added that only after complete evidence is led at trial can it be determined whether the ingredients of the offence of cheating are made out against the petitioners.On this reasoning, the high court held that “a case for grant of pre arrest bail has been made out” and allowed the petition, extending anticipatory bail on conditions. The couple has been directed to surrender before the investigating or arresting officer within 10 days, join the investigation, not influence witnesses, not commit a similar offence, not leave the country without court permission, and deposit their passports with the trial court, with a specific note that violation of these conditions would enable the jurisdictional court to consider cancellation of bail.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Punjab