Police theory falls flat, court acquits Punjab resident in cheating case

The Judicial Magistrate (First Class) has acquitted one Harlaz Singh, alias Rajbir Singh, a resident of Fazilka district in Punjab, who was arrested in a cheating case, after the prosecution failed to prove charges against him.

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An FIR was registered on March 18, 2024, against the accused under Sections 120-B, 406, 420 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 24 of the Immigration Act at the police station, Sector 36, Chandigarh, on the complaint of one Prabhpreet Singh.

The complainant stated to the police that he had given Rs 8.5 lakh to Harlaz Singh to obtain a tourist visa for Australia. He had given the amount at the office of Sky Hub Consultancy, Sector 42, Chandigarh. The accused assured the complainant that the latter could collect his passport and visa on August 11, 2023. However, when the complainant went to the consultancy office on the fixed date to collect his documents, he found it closed. When the complainant called Harlaz Singh on his cellphone, he found that it was not operating.

During investigation, Harlaz Singh was arrested by the police. A challan was presented against the accused before the court. On finding that prima facie charges were pressed against the accused, he did not plead guilty and claimed trial.

Dikshit Arora, advocate for the accused, argued that the prosecution failed to prove charges against his client. During investigation, no direct linking evidence came forth associating Sky Hub Consultancy with accused Harlaz. Besides, the complainant failed to identify the accused.

After hearing arguments of both sides, the court acquitted the accused. In its verdict, the court stated that the identity of the accused involved in the incident was highly doubtful and had to be proved by the prosecution beyond a shadow of any reasonable doubt. Since, the witnesses of the prosecution turned hostile, therefore, no incriminating evidence existed against the accused facing trial in the case, the court stated.

“In view of this, the accused is acquitted from the charges levelled against him in the present case,” the court stated.