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by sayum
18 April 2026 1:36 PM
In a significant development, the High Court of Punjab and Haryana has dismissed a petition seeking anticipatory bail filed by Vijay Singh Dahiya, a government official, in a case related to allegations of bribery. The decision was delivered by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill.
The case originated from an FIR lodged by Rinku Manchanda, who accused Dahiya of demanding a bribe for the clearance of pending bills. According to the complainant, Dahiya's acquaintance, Poonam Chopra, acted as a mediator and facilitated the bribe payment. The co-accused, Chopra, was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe, further substantiating the prosecution's case.
The court considered the evidence presented, including WhatsApp messages and CCTV footage, which indicated Dahiya's involvement in the bribery scheme. It noted the close acquaintance between Dahiya and Chopra, as well as the petitioner's approval of the complainant's bills in a short span of time. The court found these factors, along with the complainant's recording of conversations and statements from witnesses, as sufficient grounds to establish the petitioner's complicity.
Rejecting Dahiya's claim of false implication, the court held that no special circumstances existed to grant anticipatory bail. It emphasized the necessity of custodial interrogation to uncover finer details of the modus operandi and other similar instances involving Dahiya. The court expressed concerns over the petitioner's potential influence on witnesses and deemed his release after initial questioning as a prudent step by the investigating agency to collect additional evidence.
The decision highlights the court's commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability among public officials. The dismissal of the anticipatory bail petition serves as a stern message that individuals accused of bribery will face rigorous legal scrutiny.
Date of Decision: 2nd June 2023
Vijay Singh Dahiya vs State of Haryana (ACB)
