Punjab-Haryana High Court
Harjot Singh vs State Of Ut Chandigarh And Others on 13 February, 2026
CRWP-1404-202
2026 (O&M) -1-
104
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
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CRWP
CRWP-1404-2026 (O&M)
Date of Decision : 13.02.2026
Harjot Singh ....Petitioner
VERSUS
The State of U.T.Chandigarh and Others ....Respondents
CORAM : HON'BLE MS.
MS JUSTICE MANDEEP PANNU
Present: Mr. S.K.Dhiman,
S.K.Dhiman, Advocate for the petitioner.
Mr. Tapan, APP U.T.Chandigarh and
Mr. Anirudh Kaushal, Advocate for U.T.Chandigarh
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MANDEEP PANNU J. (Oral)
1. The present criminal criminal writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the official respondents to protect the life and liberty of the petitioner and his family members, which is stated to be in danger at the hands of private respondents, particularly respondent No. 5, who is allegedly threatening the petitioner and his family members with dire consequences. In the alternative, a further prayer has been madee for issuance of appropriate directions to the official respondents to take necessary legal action against respondent No. 5 on the basis of allegations contained in the representation dated 02.01.2026, as the petitioner alleges that he is being harassed at at the hands of the accused party and that the local police is siding with and cooperating with the accused party, and is not heeding the requests made by the petitioner.
TRIPTI SAINI 2026.02.17 11:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRWP-1404-202 2026 (O&M) -2-
2. Perusal of representation dated 02.01.2026 (Annexure P-4)
4) would reveal that it is a complaint submitted by the present petitioner to the Superintendent of Police, Sector-9, Chandigarh, SHO Police Station Sector--19, Chandigarh and SHO Police Station Industrial Area, Chandigarh against one Sanjeev Sethi. In the subject of the complaint, aallegations llegations have been levelled regarding withholding of eight months' salary, misappropriation of personal property, physical assault, criminal intimidation and attack with sharp weapons.
3. In the body of the complaint, it is stated that in June, 2023, the th petitioner met Sanjeev Sethi, who introduced himself as the owner of Solitaire Pharmacia Private Limited, situated at Industrial Area, Phase Phase-I, I, Chandigarh. He allegedly offered the petitioner employment for international marketing work on a monthly salaryy of ₹40,000/-,, assuring timely payment and future increments. It is further alleged that Mr. Sethi insisted that the petitioner should arrange computer system, camera and other equipment at his own expense for office use. On such assurance, the petitioner's petitioner 's father allegedly spent approximately ₹5 lakhs and installed the said items in the company office. It is averred that initially salary was paid for a few months, but thereafter payments were delayed on the pretext of business losses and ultimately salary for the last eight months was withheld. When the petitioner demanded his pending salary and return of his personal equipment, Mr. Sethi allegedly became aggressive, threatened him with dire consequences, slapped him in front of office staff and attacked hhim im with sharp weapons. It is further alleged that the employer illegally retained his CPU, inverter and TV camera. Accordingly, a request was made to the police authorities to take appropriate legal action, to help him recover his eight months' pending sal salary ary and personal equipment worth approximately ₹5 lakhs and to provide protection.
TRIPTI SAINI 2026.02.17 11:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRWP-1404-202 2026 (O&M) -3-
4. From the above averments, it clearly transpires that the core dispute between the parties primarily pertains to alleged non non-payment payment of salary and retention of equipment by the employer. The allegations regarding assault and intimidation are incidental to the employment employment-related related dispute. Essentially, the grievance arises out of an employer-employee employer employee relationship and involves recovery of money and property, which are matters falling within the domain of civil and labour remedies.
5. Having considered the pleadings, this Court is of the view that a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking blanket protection cannot be entertained merely on the basis of generalized apprehensions arising out of a private employment dispute. The extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court is not meant to adjudicate contractual disputes or to supervise salary recovery claims. If the petitioner's salary has been withheld, he is at liberty to avail appropriate remedies before the competent Labour Court or Civil Court in accordance with law. Likewise, if there has been misappropriation of property or commission of any cognizable offence, the petitioner has adequate statutory rem remedies edies under the Code of Criminal Procedure, including approaching the concerned Magistrate under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. or filing a private complaint.
6. So far as the prayer for protection is concerned, it is well settled that police protection cannot be granted as a matter of course in private disputes unless there is a specific, substantiated and imminent threat to life and liberty. The petitioner has not placed on record any material to show immediate and grave threat warranting intervention in writ jurisdiction.
jurisdiction.
7. In view of the above, no case is made out for issuance of writ of mandamus in the present petition. The petition is accordingly dismissed. However, TRIPTI SAINI 2026.02.17 11:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRWP-1404-202 2026 (O&M) -4- the petitioner shall be at liberty to avail such remedies as may be available to him under law aw before the appropriate forum.
8. All pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stands disposed of.
February 13,, 2026
202 (MANDEEP PANNU)
tripti JUDGE
Whether speaking/non-speaking
speaking/non : Speaking
Whether reportable : Yes/No
TRIPTI SAINI
2026.02.17 11:54
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document