1 2025:CGHC:50597 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1195 of 2025 Santosh @ Sanny Singh Khalsa S/o Narendra Singh Khalsa Aged About 26 Years R/o Sadar Ward Hatri Bazar Bhatapara Ps Bhatapara City District- Balodabazar- Bhatapara ( Chhattisgarh ) ( Wrongly Mention Father Name Narendr In Impugned Order ) ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through- PS Suhela District- Balodabazar- Bhatapara ( Chhattisgarh) ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Dheerendra Pandey, Advocate. For Respondent(s) : Smt. Supriya Upasane, Government Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 10.10.2025 1. Today, the matter is listed on default that certified copy of the FIR has not been filed with the bail application. 2. On due consideration, the aforesaid default is waived off. 3. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the matter is heard finally. AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN Digitally signed by AKHILESH KUMAR DEWANGAN 2 4. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.80/2025 registered at Police Station Suhela District- Balodabazar- Bhatapara (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 7(1) of Gambling Prohibition Act & 319(2), 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340, 238, 111 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (for short ‘BNS’), Section 42(2) ot Telecommunication Act and 66(C) and 66(D) of IT Act. 5. Prosecution case in brief is that present applicant along with co- accused, operated an organized illegal IPL betting racket through “Lotus 365” and CBTF platforms. They used fake documents, bank accounts, ATM cards, mobile phones, and laptops to lure people into betting and earn money illegally. During investigation, several co-accused were found in Delhi with objectionable electronic devices and banking documents, which were seized. Hence, the bail application. 6. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the crime in question. He further submits that, against the bail rejection order, the identically situated co-accused, namely, Mohammed Sahil Jaliyawala preferred a Special Leave Petition bearing Special Leave to Appeal (Criminal) No. 13775 of 2025 before the Hon’ble Apex Court, in which the arrest of the said co-accused has been 3 stayed by the Hon’ble Apex Court, hence he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant on the ground of parity. 7. On the other hand, learned State counsel has opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail and submits that present applicant is the main accused who, along with co-accused, was operating an organized IPL cricket betting racket through “Lotus 365” and CBTF platforms. He managed and controlled the betting activities, used fake documents and bank accounts for illegal financial transactions, and lured people into betting to earn unlawful profit. He absconded from the spot during the raid, and investigation revealed his active role in running the syndicate, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 8. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 9. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submissions of learned counsel for the parties, nature of dispute and material available in case diary, the fact that though the applicant along with co-accused, was operated an organized IPL cricket betting racket through “Lotus 365” and CBTF platforms, they managed and controlled the betting activities, used fake documents and bank accounts for illegal financial transactions, and lured people into betting to earn unlawful profit, but considering the fact that co- accused, namely, Mohammed Sahil Jaliyawala preferred a Special Leave Petition bearing Special Leave to Appeal (Criminal) 4 No. 13775 of 2025 before the Hon’ble Apex Court, in which the arrest of the said co-accused has been stayed by the Hon’ble Apex Court and the case of present applicant is identical to that of the said co-accused, as such, without further commenting anything on merits, this Court find it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 10. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant - Santosh @ Sanny Singh Khalsa, 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) He 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) He shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) He 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) He shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Akhil