1 2025:CGHC:15653 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 454 of 2025 Sumit Kumar Das S/o Shri Subhash Chandra Das Aged About 45 Years R/o D.N.K. 41, C.C. Banglow, Ward No.-12, T.T. 01 Colony, Mana Camp, Raipur, Tah. And Dist. - Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through - Police Station - Rajnandgaon Kotwali, Dist. - Rajnandgaon (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Ms. Vedagni Jangde, Advocate along with Mr. Shahid Siddiqui, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. U.K.S. Chandel, Dy. Adv. General. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 03.04.2025 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 403/2024 registered at Police Station – Rajnandgaon Kotwali, District – Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120B of the Indian Penal Code. ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2025.04.04 11:31:17 +0530 2 2. According to the case diary, on 04.07.2024, the applicant, Sudesh Kumar Sahu, currently the Assistant Director of Fisheries, Rajnandgaon, presented a written application at the Kotwali police station, requesting that a report be filed. The application alleged that Smt. Gitanjali Gajbhiye, the then Assistant Director of Fisheries, Rajnandgaon, had misled the administration by submitting forged documents of beneficiaries to obtain approval for a grant of Rs. 216 lakh for departmental work (cage culture fisheries). This resulted in irregularities and misappropriation of the grant funds received by the department. The complaint letter was accompanied by departmental inquiry documents, which revealed that an investigation into a complaint submitted by beneficiary Bhuvan Lal to the Fisheries Department, Rajnandgaon, found that Smt. Gitanjali Gajbhiye, the then Assistant Director of Fisheries, Rajnandgaon, had misused the funds received under the scheme by relying on forged documents. Upon reviewing the application, the Kotwali police station, Rajnandgaon, registered Crime No. 403/2024 against the accused, Smt. Gitanjali Gajbhiye, the then Assistant Director of Fisheries, Rajnandgaon, and the proprietors of the firms M/s Star Suppliers, Bilaspur, M/s S.S. Aquaculture, Pathari, and M/s S.S. Aqua Feed, Jhanki, Raipur, under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He submits that the other co-accused persons, namely, Naved Mirza has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Hon’ble Court in 3 MCRCA No. 397 of 2025 vide order dated 24.03.2025. Therefore, he submits that the present applicant is also entitled to be released on anticipatory bail on the ground of parity. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the bail application of the present applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case that in the present case, the co-accused persons, namely, Naved Mirza has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Hon’ble Court in MCRCA No. 397 of 2025 vide order dated 24.03.2025, therefore, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Sumit Kumar Das, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting OfÏcer, she shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. 4 (d) the applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of his adhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/ Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Abhishek