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CBI registers 2 cases on HC’s direction against advocates, complainant.

CHANDIGARH: Acting on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered two separate cases in connection with the cross-complaints between a high court advocate and his clients, over allegations of bribery and criminal intimidation.

In the first case, the HC, through its order dated August 22, 2025, in CRWP-8343-2025 (Ankush Dhanerwal vs State of Punjab and others), directed the CBI to take cognisance of allega tions of misconduct against advocate Ankush Dhanerwal.

Dhanerwal allegedly demanded money from his client Balwinder Singh, a resident of Maidewas village in Punjab, and his son Ranjit Singh, to influence the outcome of a petition concerning panchayat elections filed before the HC. The bribe was purportedly sought in the name of a government pleader and a judicial officer, allegedly to ensure a favourable ruling.

Following the HC’s order, the CBI’s anti-corruption branch (ACB), Chandigarh, registered a regular case under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Cor-ruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), read with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The probe has been entrusted to inspector Pawan Kumar of CBI, ACB, Chandigarh.

In a parallel development, the HC also directed the CBI to look into the complaints filed by advocate Ankush Dhanerwal alleging that Balwinder Singh and Ranjit Singh had issued threats and attempted to intimidate him. Based on the same court order, a second regular case has been registered under Sections 329(3) & (4) (house trespass) and 351(2)(3) (criminal intimidation) read with Section 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS, 2023. This investigation has been assigned to sub-in-spector Manish Kaushik of CBI, ACB.

Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered two separate cases in connection with the cross-complaints between a high court advocate and his cli-ents, over allegations of bribery and criminal intimidation.

In the first case, the HC, through its order dated August 22, 2025, in CRWP-8343-2025 (Ankush Dhanerwal vs State of Punjab and others), directed the CBI to take cognisance of allega tions of misconduct against advocate Ankush Dhanerwal.

Dhanerwal allegedly demanded money from his cli-ent Balwinder Singh, a resident of Maidewas village in Punjab, and his son Ranjit Singh, to influence the outcome of a peti-tion concerning panchayat elec-tions filed before the HC. The bribe was purportedly sought in the name of a government pleader and a judicial officer,

allegedly to ensure a favourable ruling.

Following the HC’s order, the CBI’s anti-corruption branch (ACB), Chandigarh, registered a regular case under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Cor-ruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), read with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The probe has been entrusted to inspector Pawan Kumar of CBI, ACB, Chandi-garh.



In a parallel development, the HC also directed the CBI to look into the complaints filed by advocate Ankush Dhanerwal alleging that Balwinder Singh and Ranjit Singh had issued threats and attempted to intimi-date him. Based on the same court order, a second regular case has been registered under Sections 329(3) & (4) (house trespass) and 351(2)(3) (criminal intimidation) read with Section 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS, 2023. This investigation has been assigned to sub-in-spector Manish Kaushik of CBI, ACB.


For case specific advice, get in touch with High Court Lawyers Punjab and Haryana High Court District Court Chandigarh Panchkula Mohali Derabassi Kharar State Commission

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A High Court can direct the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) (under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution or Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code), or CrPC, when the police fail to do so after a complaint of a cognizable offense. This power is exercised to ensure accountability and that the criminal justice system is not obstructed, especially in cases of political influence or when lower courts fail to act. The High Court can also issue directions for investigations to be conducted fairly and to ensure proper adherence to legal procedures. [1, 2, 3, 4]

When a High Court Issues a Direction to Register an FIRA High Court may direct an FIR to be registered under the following circumstances: [1]

Failure to Register an FIR by Police: If a person files a complaint about a cognizable offense and the police fail to register an FIR.

Lack of Effectiveness from Lower Courts: If a person has approached a Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC and the police do not register the FIR, the complainant can then approach the High Court.

Enforcing Fundamental Rights: The High Court has extraordinary writ powers to enforce fundamental rights, including the right to a legal remedy, which can be used to compel the registration of an FIR.

Oversight in Complex Cases: The High Court also issues directions to police in complex cases or cases of public interest to ensure fair and accountable investigations.

Process

File a Complaint: The process begins by filing a complaint with the police, detailing a cognizable offense.

Approach the Magistrate: If the police do not register an FIR, the complainant can approach a Magistrate for a direction under Section 156(3) CrPC.

Petition the High Court: If the Magistrate’s order is not acted upon by the police, the complainant can then file a petition in the High Court under Article 226 or Section 482 CrPC.

High Court Oversight: The High Court will review the petition and, if warranted, direct the police to register the FIR and ensure the investigation is conducted fairly. [1, 3, 4, 5, 6]

AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://supremetoday.ai/search/direction-to-file-FIR-any-high-court-in-service-matter
[2] https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2023/12/09/punjab-haryana-hc-issues-directions-investigating-officers-adding-deleting-offences-uapa-act-in-fir/
[3] https://lawrato.com/criminal-legal-advice/how-to-get-court-direction-for-fir-203216
[4] https://police.py.gov.in/FIR%20Registration%20-%20Latest%20Directions%20of%20High%20Court%20for%20TN%20and%20Puducherry%20-%20dt.%2024.11.16.pdf
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQapMJ6-SNQ
[6] https://blog.ipleaders.in/first-information-report-everything-important-you-should-know-about/

HighCourt Chandigarh Lawyer in Panchkula Derabassi Mohali