1 2025:CGHC:25950 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 847 of 2025 1 - Lokesh Barshagde S/o Late Raghunath Barshagde Aged About 40 Years R/o Ward No. 09, Bazar Para, Charama, District - Kanker Chhattisgarh 2 - Suryakant S/o Harinarayan Aged About 32 Years (Wrongly Mentioned As Harinaraya In First Page Of The Impugned Order And Not Mentioned In The Cause Title Of The Impugned Order), R/o Dedhkohka, Schoolpara, Ward No. 11, Charama, District - Kanker Chhattisgarh ... Applicants versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. - Chawni, District - Durg Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicants : Ms. Aditi Singhvi, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Bharat Gulbani, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 19.06.2025 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who are apprehending their arrest in connection with Crime No. 251/2025 registered at Police Station – Chawni, VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2025.06.20 15:22:34 +0530 2 District – Durg (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 108 of BNS, 2023. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, the deceased was a doctor and his objectionable video with another lady was made by the villagers, after which the village members organised a meeting in village and started demanding Rs.5,00,000/- from the deceased, else threatened that the video would be made viral. When the deceased made attempt to suicide, he took name of several villagers and thereafter he committed suicide by hanging. He has left a suicide note also. Thereafter, the FIR was registered against the applicant. 3. It has been argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicants are innocent have has been falsely implicated in this case. It is submitted by learned counsel for the applicants are that the applicants are journalist and had merely published a news regarding the incidence, the said news was published after the death of the deceased, therefore, it cannot be said that the applicant had harassed and instigated the deceased to commit suicide. She also submits that the applicants have never made any video viral nor are in possession in any video and they were never a part of kind of meeting in the village and never demanded any kind of money from the deceased. Therefore, she prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4. Learned counsel for the State would oppose the bail application of the applicants and submits that looking to the nature of 3 allegation and seriousness of the offence, they are not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case and looking to the fact that the applicants are journalist and had merely published a news regarding the incidence, the said news was published after the death of the deceased, therefore, it cannot be said that the applicant had harassed and instigated the deceased to commit suicide and applicants have never made any video viral nor are in possession in any videos or photos and they were never a part of kind of meeting in the village and never demanded any kind of money from the deceased. Therefore, without further commenting anything on merits, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicants – Lokesh Barshagde and Suryakant, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, they shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) they 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) they shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) they shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till 4 disposal of the trial. (d) The applicants and the surety shall submit a copy of their 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) they shall not involve themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaishali