1 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2958 of 2025 Karan Bhardwaj S/o Videshi Lal Bhardwaj Aged About 19 Years R/o Village- Nonbirra, Police Station- Kartala, District- Korba (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through- The Station House Officer, Police Station Kartala, District- Korba (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Ajay Kumar Chandra, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Pranjal Shukla, P.L. Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal Order On Board 11/06/2025 1. The victim along with her mother appeared before this Court today through virtual mode from the concerned DLSA and objected in granting bail to the applicant. 2. The applicant has preferred this 1st bail application under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Act 2023 for grant of regular bail as he is arrested in connection with crime No. 83/2024, registered at Police Station – Kartala, District- Korba (C.G.) for offence punishable under Sections 137 (2) & 64 (1) of BNS, 2023 and Section 4 (1) of POCSO Act. Digitally signed by SHUBHAM SINGH RAGHUVANSHI Date: 2025.06.13 10:56:11 +0530 2 3. The prosecution story, in short, is that the applicant/accused is alleged to have enticed the minor victim and taken her to Odisha, where he forcibly established physical relations with her, thereby committing rape. Based on above, offence has been registered against the applicant. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the crime in question. He further submits that there was a love affair between the applicant and the victim. Further, in her medical report, no injury was found on her body. The applicant is in jail since 22.09.2024 and the trial is likely to some time to be finalized, therefore, it is prayed that the applicant may be enlarged on bail. 5. Per contra, learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the State opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed. Out of 20 witnesses, 4 have been examined till date. Hence, looking to the nature of offence, the applicant may not be released on bail. 6. I have heard learned Counsel appearing for the parties and perused the material available on record. 7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, evidence collected by the prosecution against the applicant and further considering that some important witnesses are remain to be examined, at this stage, without further commenting on merits of the case, I am not inclined to release the applicant on bail. 8. Accordingly, the bail application is Rejected. However, the Trial Court is directed to expedite the trial and to ensure that the trial is concluded as expeditiously as possible. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge Shubham