Inexplicable Nay Deplorable’: Punjab & Haryana HC Seeks Vigilance Bureau’s Explanation for 5-Year Delay in FIR, Grants Interim Bail in Corruption Case
Isabella Mariam
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, Single Bench of Justice Sumeet Goel, issued conditional pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, directing him to join the investigation. The matter pertains to allegations under several sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, now addressed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The Bench further directed the Chief Director of the State Vigilance Bureau to submit an affidavit explaining the unexplained five-year delay in registering the FIR.
The petition was filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, apprehending arrest in connection with FIR No. 17 dated 10.3.2025. The FIR was registered at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Patiala, under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B of IPC, and Section 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the original complaint forming the basis of this FIR had been lodged on 11.7.2019. Despite this, the Vigilance Bureau failed to act for almost five years. It was argued that the petitioner had appeared before the concerned official during the course of the inquiry and cooperated with the investigation even before the FIR was registered. He is now willing to continue cooperating. Therefore, it was contended that custodial interrogation is unwarranted and would serve no productive purpose.
The respondent-State, represented by the Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, accepted notice.
The Court took serious note of the delay by the Vigilance Bureau. "Before parting with this order, a pertinent aspect of the matter is required to be delved into. The complaint which resulted into registration of the FIR in question is stated to have been given on 11.7.2019 but, for some cause, the Vigilance Bureau has chosen to sit over the complaint for about 5 years as the FIR on the basis thereof was registered only in March 2025."
Justice Goel recorded that the delay appears to be "inexplicable nay deplorable." The Court directed the Chief Director, State Vigilance Bureau, Punjab to "look into the matter and file an affidavit delineating therein the cause for and justification behind continuation of an inquiry for a period of about 5 years without registration of an FIR."
The matter has been adjourned to 8.5.2025. In the meantime, the Court directed:
"The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer on 21.4.2025 at 11:00 A.M. in concerned Police Station and join investigation. In the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on interim bail subject to his furnishing personal/surety bond(s) to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer/Investigating Officer."
Further, the petitioner is to abide by the conditions enumerated under Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Advocates Representing the Parties
For the Petitioner: Mr. S.K. Garg Narwana, Senior Advocate with Mr. RPS Jammu, Advocate
For the Respondent/State: Mr. H.S. Deol, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab
Case Title: Harmeet Singh Sehgal v. State of Punjab
Case Number: CRM-M-19791-2025
Bench: Justice Sumeet Goel
[Read/Download order]
