1 2025:CGHC:48990 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1492 of 2025 Manoj Kumar S/o Lal Bahadur Aged About 23 Years R/o Village Kandul, Police Station Arjunda, District : Balod, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station Arjunda, District : Balod, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Ms. Aditi Singhvi, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Ms Ankita Shukla, PL. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 24/09/2025 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.122/2025 registered at Police Station – Arjunda, District GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2025.09.25 15:08:26 +0530 2 Balod (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 221, 121(1), 324(3), 191(1), 296, 351(3), 115(2), 331(3), 126(2) & 132 of BNS, 2023 (section 132 not mentioned in the FIR but as per order sheet mentioned in the case diary) 2. As per the case of prosecution on 17.08.2025, between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, the applicant, along with other co-accused individuals, allegedly entered the premises of the Electricity Distribution Center located at Tehsil Arjunda, District Balod, to raise concerns regarding a power outage. During the course of this protest, the group used abusive language and issued threats of serious harm to the staff present at the center. The applicant, along with the co-accused, is further alleged to have obstructed the discharge of official duties by the employees, engaged in a physical altercation, and specifically assaulted one Purushottam Sahu by forcibly grabbing him by the collar. Also the group is accused of causing damage to electrical equipment within the office premises and blocking the main road adjacent to the electricity office, thereby disrupting traffic. Following these incidents, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the applicant and the other accused individuals. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case and there is no specific allegation in the FIR which clearly attributes any serious overt act to the applicant alone. She would submit that the applicant, along with others, had gone to the Electricity Distribution Center to raise 3 genuine public grievances regarding power outages. She would further submit that co-accused person namely Padum Lal Sahu has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No.1315/2025 vide order dated 1.09.2025. She would submit that the present applicant is permanent resident of above address at R/o. Village Kandul, Police Station Arjunda, District Balod (C.G.) and there is no chance of his absconding, therefore, she submits that the present applicant is entitled to be released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submissions of learned counsel for the parties, materials available on record, considering the fact that co-accused person namely Padum Lal Sahu has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No.1315/2025 vide order dated 1.09.2025, therefore, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Manoj Kumar, on executing a personal bond and 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 4 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 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) The applicant shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice gouri