1 2025:CGHC:56384 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 8613 of 2025 • Sonal Khunte D/o Shri Saheblal Aged About 25 Years R/o Behind Green Garden Colony House No. 10 Police Station Civil Lines, District : Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus • State of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Sarkanda, District : Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant : Mr. Amit Kumar Chaki, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Nitansh Jaiswal, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 19.11.2025 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as she has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 1014/2025, registered at Police Station – Sarkanda, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3) 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). 2. The case of the prosecution, is that On 19.06.2025, the complainant, Shri Satyajit Kumar, Branch Manager, HDFC Bank, Sarkanda VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2025.11.20 16:59:18 +0530 2 Branch, Bilaspur, lodged a written complaint at Police Station Sarkanda, Bilaspur, stating therein that one Edward Thomas presented Cheque No. 000053, dated 19.06.2025, for an amount of ₹70,00,000/- (Rupees Seventy Lakhs only) for withdrawal. Upon confirmation, the said cheque was cleared, and the amount was disbursed accordingly. It is further alleged that Astrotalk Services Private Limited, a company maintaining a current account at HDFC Bank, Gurgaon Branch, through its Director Anmol Jain, submitted a written complaint to the said branch stating that seven fraudulent cheques amounting to a total of 1,40,40,000/- had been withdrawn ₹ from its account, and that among those, Cheque No. 000053, dated 19.06.2025, was forged and fraudulent. It has been alleged that the original cheque remained blank with the company and was unlawfully misused, leading to the withdrawal of 70,00,000/- from ₹ HDFC Bank, Sarkanda Branch, through the said forged cheque. On the basis of this complaint, Crime No. 1014/2025 was registered at Police Station Sarkanda for offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. It is further alleged that the memorandum of the present applicant reveals that the applicant was in regular communication with the co-accused Edward Thomas. The applicant was arrested on 17.08.2025. and hence, the present application. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that applicant is a lady aged about 25 years and there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. The applicant is in jail since 17.08.2025 and trial is 3 likely to take quite long time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, and the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant and also considering the fact that applicant is a lady aged about 25 years and there is no any criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant, the applicant is in jail since 17.08.2025 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to allow this application. 7. Let applicant, Sonal Khunte involved in Crime No.1014/2025, registered at Police Station – Sarkanda, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3) 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with 4 law. (ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice vaishali