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Contract marriage for Canada dream: Punjab couple granted pre-arrest bail in Rs 18 lakh cheating case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court said that the case related to a ‘contract marriage’ appears to be a breach of contract and stressed that pre-trial incarceration cannot mirror post-conviction.

5 min readChandigarhNov 20, 2025 01:55 PM IST

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: HC

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After 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.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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