1 2025:CGHC:58431 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1891 of 2025 Manharan Yadav S/o Mansing Yadav Aged About 30 Years R/o Village Bhithideeh, P.S. Pithora, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station- Patewa, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Palash Agrawal, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 02.12.2025 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. 177/2025 registered at Police Station – Patewa District - Mahasmund (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Section 143 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The prosecution story in brief is that on 14.11.2025, information was received that accused Manharan Yadav, resident of Village Bhithidih, P.S. Pithora, District Mahasamund, was illegally inducing labourers with the lure of higher wages and transporting them without permission, VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2025.12.03 12:05:24 +0530 2 amounting to human trafficking. During field inspection, a team intercepted a bus near Patewa, wherein several labourers along with their families were found travelling to Maharashtra for brick-kiln work. Upon inquiry, the labourers stated that the accused had paid them advance money and was taking them for work without obtaining statutory permission Prima facie offence under Section 143 BNS (Human Trafficking) is made out against the accused for recruiting and transporting labourers unlawfully and without authorization. This incident was reported by the complainant to the Labour Officer and a First Information Report (FIR) under section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has been lodged at the Police Station - Patewa District-Mahasmund (C.G.). 3. The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that in the present case due to personal enmity and conspiracy, as the statements recorded in the case diary do not establish any direct connection between the applicant and the alleged offence, and mere mention of his name cannot be a valid ground for registration of a criminal case. The applicant belongs to a marginal farmer family and runs a medical store with his brother, and his arrest would cause irreparable damage to his livelihood and reputation. There is no advance payment, no recovery, no call detail record, and no material evidence linking the applicant to the alleged act, and he was not present at the spot, nor has any witness attributed any role to him. The investigation is at a preliminary stage, and the applicant is willing to cooperate fully with the authorities, therefore, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 3 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the anticipatory bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submissions of learned counsel for the parties and nature of dispute and materials available on record, without further commenting anything on merits, this Court find it appropriate 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 applicant – Manharan Yadav, on executing a personal bond and one local 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 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) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaibhav