1 2025:CGHC:55833 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1800 of 2025 1 - Kailash Prasad Khunte S/o Dharmu Khunte Aged About 55 Years R/o Village Kosir, Thana Kosir, Teh. Sarangarh District Sarangarh- Bilaigarh (C.G.) 2 - Chandram Khunte S/o Ganiram Khunte Aged About 50 Years R/o Village Kosir, Thana Kosir, Teh. Sarangarh District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) 3 - Chandan Lahre S/o Tikeshwar Lahre Aged About 25 Years R/o Village Kosir, Thana Kosir, Teh. Sarangarh District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) ... Applicants versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House OfÏcer, Police Station Kosir, District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicants : Mr. Udho Ram Koshaley, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Supriya Upasane, Govt. Advocate Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 17.11.2025 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicants, who are apprehending their arrest in connection with Crime No. 94/2025 registered at Police Station Kosir, District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 318(4), 316(5), 3(5), 61(2)(B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 RAHUL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by RAHUL DEWANGAN 2 2. As per the prosecution’s case, in brief is that the complainant submitted a written report at the concerned police station stating that, during inspection, it was found that 3,043.22 quintals of paddy, valued at Rs.94,33,982/-, were missing from the Paddy Society at Kosir. On the basis of the said written complaint, the police registered an FIR against the applicants and others for offences under Sections 318(4), 316(5), 3(5), and 61(2)(B) of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has not committed any offence and he has been falsely implicated in offence in question. He further submits that the applicants have neither missing any paddy nor received any amount nor obtaining any benefit of subject paddy nor committed any aforesaid offences as alleged by the prosecution against them. He further submits that the identically situated co-accused persons, have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA Nos. 1633/2025, 1682/2025, 575/2025, 1697/2025, 1447/2025, 752/2025, 779/2025, 718/2025, 1451/2025, 1702/2025, 1706/2025, 1730/2025, 1763/2025, 1734/2025, 1706/2025, 1712/2025, 1713/2025, 1724/2025, 1725/2025 and similarly situated co- accused person, namely, Ku. Seema Vaare has already been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 12.11.2025 in MCRC No. 9043/2025. Therefore, he submits that the present applicants are also entitled to be released on anticipatory bail on the ground of parity. 3 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the submission made by the learned counsel for the applicant and submits that, as per the written complaint lodged at the concerned police station, a shortage of 3,043.22 quintals of paddy, valued at Rs.94,33,982/-, was detected during the inspection of the Paddy Society at Kosir. It is contended that the said shortage constitutes a serious economic offence causing substantial loss to the Government. On the basis of the complaint, an FIR was rightly registered against the accused persons, including the applicant, and the investigation has disclosed their involvement in the commission of the offence. Hence, considering the gravity of the allegations and the nature of the economic loss, the applicant is not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of offence, the fact that the identically situated co-accused persons, have already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA Nos. 1633/2025, 1682/2025, 575/2025, 1697/2025, 1447/2025, 752/2025, 779/2025, 718/2025, 1451/2025, 1702/2025, 1706/2025, 1730/2025, 1763/2025, 1734/2025, 1706/2025, 1712/2025, 1713/2025, 1724/2025, 1725/2025 and similarly situated co-accused person, namely, Ku. Seema Vaare has already been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 12.11.2025 in MCRC No. 9043/2025, there are no 4 other criminal antecedents against them. Hence, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicants on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicants – Kailash Prasad Khunte, Chandram Khunte and Chandan Lahre, on executing a personal bond and one surety each in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting OfÏcer, they shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) The applicants 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 them 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 applicants shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to them by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) The applicants and the surety shall submit a copy of their 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 applicants shall not involve themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Rahul Dewangan