1 2025:CGHC:39994 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1202 of 2025 Abhra Prova Rey S/o Himangshu Aged About 45 Years House No. A/118, Road - 60 New Town Near Bus Stand, District - North 24 Parganas, West Bengal Workplace Branch Manager, Bank Of Baroda, Branch, Civic Center District -Durg (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of C.G. Through P.S. Bhilai Nagar, District – Durg (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Tarendra Kumar Jha, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Malay Jain, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 08.08.2025 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 384/2025 registered at Police Station – Bhilai Nagar, District – Durg (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 316(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that the complainant/customer Daroga Singh was holding a locker No.697 in the Bank of Baroda Bhilai Branch. Customer made complaint to the senior manager/locker in-charge Smt. RAJSHEKHAR SONI Digitally signed by RAJSHEKHAR SONI 2 Anita Koreti that there is some seepage in the wall that is causing some problem in opening his locker. On the request of customer, the locker in- charge provided a temporary locker No. 547 and handed the key of the locker to the customer on 13.11.2024, thereafter, the bank called the authorized repairer of Godrej Company to repair the lockers which were facing the opening problem. After the repairing of the lockers, the customer was given the keys of his old locker No. 697 by the locker in- charge, and the customer shifted his so called ornaments from temporary locker to his old locker. The customer made a complaint to the applicant on 22.04.2025 stating that out of 3 Potless, 1 Potlee is missing in his old locker. The customer also made complaint to the Police Station Bhilai Nagar against the Bank Management on 27.07.2025 upon which the FIR was registered. Hence, this application. 3. It has been argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. It is submitted that the applicant is not named in the FIR lodged by the complainant, and he applicant is the chief manager of the Bhilai Branch and he is not custodian of the lockers of the bank. Therefore, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the bail application and submits that the applicant is not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail in this case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation leveled against the applicant, and from the perusal of the 3 case diary it transpires that the applicant is not named in the FIR lodged by the complainant, and he applicant is the chief manager of the Bhilai Branch and he is not custodian of the lockers of the bank, and the case of the applicant is distinguishable from the case of the co-accused, at this stage without expressing any opinion on merits, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be granted anticipatory bail in this case. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Abhra Prova Rey, on executing a personal bond with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) The Applicant 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) The Applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The Applicant shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d)The Applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of their adhaar card alongwith a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e)The Applicant shall not involve themself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Rajshekhar