1 2025:CGHC:25204-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR CRMP No. 2147 of 2022 1 - Set Ram Chouhan S/o Shri Indrajeet Chouhan Aged About 42 Years R/o Village Kewatpali, Tahsil Basna, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Sakti, District : Sakti, Chhattisgarh ... Respondents For Petitioner : Ms. Priyanka Rai, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Mr. Shailendra Sharma, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Bibhu Datta Guru, Judge Judgment on Board Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice 18.06.2025 1. The present petition has been filed by the petitioner with the following prayers:- “It is therefore, prayed that this Hon’ble Court may kindly be pleased to quash the FIR dated 31/01/2020, registered at P.S. Sakti, District: Sakti as Crime No.43/2020 for the offence under Section 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 & 34 of the IPC qua the petitioner, in the interest of justice.” 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner AMARDEEP CHOUBEY Digitally signed by AMARDEEP CHOUBEY Date: 2025.06.18 18:45:23 +0530 2 was posted as Sub-Registrar in the office of Sub-Registrar, Sakti. Pursuant to Order dated 16.02.2018, the District Registrar, Janjgir-Champa issued order on 24.02.2018 with respect to handing over the charge to the petitioner. After joining the duties, on 02.12.2019, when the petitioner came to know that some discrepancies has occurred in the cash book, copies of challan and challan verification file, he on the same date wrote a letter to the Branch Manager of SBI, Sakti requesting for providing statements between the period 01.04.2015 to 30.11.2019. After preparing his detailed report and after scrutiny of the facts he had forwarded the said report to the District Registrar, Janjgir-Champa and had given his opinion that FIR may be registered against the Peon namely Pankaj Yadav and suggested for departmental enquiry because he has committed mischief in the work process by doing financial irregularities. Counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioner is whistle blower and he informed his higher officer about serious mischief done by the said Peon. In response to the detailed report submitted by the petitioner, the District Registrar wrote a letter to the petitioner asking him to furnish the details of Challan and Challan Verification, wherein overwriting or forged seal/rubber stamp has been used. On 24.01.2020, the District Registrar forwarded a report to the Inspector General, with respect to audit report. Thereafter, the FIR was registered against the petitioner and others, therefore, it is prayed by 3 counsel for the petitioner that till the final disposal of this petition, some interim protection may be granted to him. Accordingly, the present petition is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty to take recourse to law, if the matter survives. 3. Learned counsel for the State would submit that on account of interim order passed by this Court on 12/01/2023, the investigation could not commence as by the said interim order, it was directed that no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner. 4. We have heard learned counsel for the parties, perused the pleadings and documents. 5. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, we deem it proper to dispose of the present petition with a direction to the Investigating Officer to conclude the investigation at the earliest possible preferably within a period of six weeks from today and submit the police report under Section 173(2) of the Cr.P.C., if any before the concerned competent Court. Till the period of six weeks, the interim order dated 12/01/2023 shall continue 6. Accordingly, the present CRMP is disposed of. SD/- SD/- (Bibhu Datta Guru) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice Gowri/ Amardeep