- (1.) Sukhdev Singh and Ranjit Singh, by way of Criminal Misc. No.M- 5509 of 2012, Simarjit Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur and Harjit Singh, by way of Criminal Misc. No. M-6075 of 2010 and Lakhwinder Singh by way of Criminal Misc. No. 6196 of 2012 seek pre-arrest bail in a case registered by way of FIR No.19 dated 3.2.2012 at Police Station City, Sangrur, District Sangrur for an offence punishable under sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 read with section 120-B of Indian Penal Code, while Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda by way of Criminal Misc. No. M- 7569 of 2012 seeks regular bail in the said case.
(2.) The facts, in brief, that may be noticed here are that one Bhag Singh and his brothers sold some land belonging to them and had received a sum of Rs. 1.40 crores as earnest money on the execution of agreement of sale prior to the execution of the sale deed. After receiving this money, they desired to purchase some land for this amount. They came to know that land around village Longowal was available for purchase. He and his friend, Syasat Singh went to village Longowal and there they met one Lakhwinder Singh alias Lucky, a property dealer. The complainant told Lakhwinder Singh alias Lucky that he was interested in purchasing a chunk of land measuring 10 to 15 acres. Lakhwinder Singh alias Lucky told him that a chunk of land measuring 15 acres owned by Ranjit Singh was available for sale. Lakhwinder Singh took the complainant to the house of Ranjit Singh. Ranjit Singh and his mother, Jaspal Kaur told the complainant that they had been dealing through their relation Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda and that they have agreed to sell the land of Satpal Singh through him. Ranjit Singh also told his relationship with Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda as brother of his brotherin-law. Ranjit Singh and Jaspal Kaur told the complainant that the matter for sale of the land was with Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda and the complainant was directed to talk to him. Even Ranjit Singh contacted Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda on his phone and told him about the complainant and his desire to purchase land. Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda told the complainant that he was present in village Sajuma and he told the complainant to come to him. The complainant was shown copy of agreement of sale dated 6.1.2011 executed in favour of Satpal Singh regarding the land by Ranjit Singh, who also took them to his land. Then the complainant met Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda at his house in the presence of Lakhwinder Singh alias Lucky and Syasat Singh.
(3.) Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda and Lakhwinder Singh were previously acquainted with each other. Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda had also shown to the complainant the agreement dated 6.1.2011 executed by Ranjit Singh in favour of Satpal Singh. On seeing all this, the complainant was assured about the transaction to be fair. He was also told that Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda and Satpal Singh deal with the land jointly. Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda told that Satpal Singh is their own person. He also told the complainant that Ranjit Singh is his relative and so, he has entered into this agreement on his behalf. While discussing the sale consideration, Sukhdev Singh, father of Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda, Baljinder Singh, brother of Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda and other relatives, i.e., wives of Baljit Singh and Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda as also Manjit Singh were present there and they told the complainant in one voice that Ranjit Singh Longowal was their relative. Skipping some unnecessary details, it may be mentioned here that the land was agreed to be sold in favour of the complainant at the rate of Rs. 22.55 lacs per acre. It was agreed that earnest money in a sum of Rs. 1.00 crore has to be paid in two installments. Agreement was agreed to be written on 3.3.2011. Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda demanded a sum of Rs.50,000/- in advance from the earnest money and this amount was paid to him. After counting the money, he gave the money to Satpal Singh. A sum of Rs. 49.50 lacs was paid at the time of writing of agreement on 3.3.2011. On the said date Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda had shown him copy of the jamabandi of the land of Ranjit Singh and Jaspal Kaur. On payment of the balance earnest money, the sale deed was agreed to be executed on 25.11.2011. Thereafter, the complainant tried to contact Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda and Satpal Singh on their phones but their phones were reported to be switched off. Then he contacted his other contacts and when they could not find Harjinder Singh alias Chhinda and Satpal Singh, they met Ranjit Singh, the owner, who told the complainant that he has received only a sum of Rs.20.00 lacs. He also became greedy because by that time, prices of the land had increased. Thus, cheated in a sum of Rs.1.00 crore, the complainant lodged the report.;