1 2025:CGHC:60637 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1958 of 2025 • Jeevan Dewangan S/o Jagdish Dewangan Aged About 48 Years R/o Village Markatola, Police Station Thelkadih, District Khairagarh Chhuikhadan Gandai, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus • State of Chhattisgarh Through The District Magistrate, District Khairagarh Chhuikhadan Gandai, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant : Mr. Siddharth Pandey, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Bharat Gulbani, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 12.12.2025 1. The applicant has preferred this First Anticipatory Bail Application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 239/2025, registered at Police Station – Thelkadih, District – Khairagarh, Chhuikhadan Gandai (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 299 of BNS, 2023. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that the on 20.11.2025, a written complaint was lodged by District Satnami Samaj Khairagarh before the Superintendent of Police, District KCG, alleging that the present VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2025.12.16 11:01:58 +0530 2 applicant, Jeevan Dewangan, had posted an objectionable message in the WhatsApp group of "BJP Mandal Thelkadih" on or about 13/11/2025. It is alleged that during a dispute involving two Anganwadi workers, the applicant circulated a message in which he used the term "Guru Ghantaal" for the religious leader and Cabinet Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb Ji, who is revered by the Satnami community. The complainants stated that the said remark is abusive, indecent and derogatory, and has intentionally hurt the religious sentiments of the community. It is further alleged that the applicant later deleted the message from the WhatsApp group. Copy of the written complaint is marked and annexed herewith as Annexure A/4. On these allegations, the Satnami Samaj submitted that the remark had caused deep insult, distress and communal hurt and requested for strict legal action, stating that the applicant has a prior criminal image. Based on the aforesaid allegations, an FIR was registered against the present applicant for the offence punishable under Section 299 of BNS. 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 the alleged message was made in the context of an administrative/personal dispute and not with reference to any religious practice, deity or religion. He also submits that there is two criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant bearing crime No.234 of 2017 registered at police station Khairagarh for offence under Sections 409, 420 r/w 34 of IPC, and crime No.166 of 2018 registered at police station Khairagarh for offence under Sections 294, 323, 506 r/w 34 of IPC, both are disposed of and investigation and trial is likely to take quite long time for its 3 conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that applicant had posted an objectionable message in the WhatsApp group of "BJP Mandal Thelkadih" on or about 13/11/2025, during a dispute involving two Anganwadi workers, the applicant circulated a message in which he used the term "Guru Ghantaal" for the religious leader and Cabinet Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb Ji, who is revered by the Satnami community, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail. 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, material available on record, submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, investigation and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to allow this anticipatory bail application. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Jeevan Dewangan 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) The Applicant 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. 4 (b) The Applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The Applicant 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)The Applicant shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice vaishali