1 2026:CGHC:20668 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3739 of 2026 1. Rajkumar Toppo S/o Dhaneshwar Toppo Aged About 39 Years R/o Village - Keonchi, District - Bilaspur (C.G.) 2. Janakram Baiga S/o Amar Singh Aged About 30 Years R/o Village- Kurdar, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 3. Devsingh Baiga S/o Bajru Aged About 45 Years R/o Village- Kurdar, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 4. Rajesh S/o Devsingh Aged About 31 Years R/o Village- Kurdar, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 5. Lakhan Singh S/o Sukhru Aged About 26 Years R/o Village- Kurdar, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicants versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Forest Range Officer, Belgahna, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicants : Dr. Arpit Lall and Ayush Lall, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Ritika Verma, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 0 4.05.2026 1. The applicants have preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as they have been arrested in connection with Forest Crime No. 17717/04, registered at Police Station – Forest Range Belgahan, District : PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.05.05 17:52:26 +0530 2 Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 09, 39(1), (9), 39(1)(H), 39(1)(C), 44(H), 48-A, 50 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that on 27/03/2026, acting on a tip-off, the Forest Range Officer led a team of officials to Johar Eco Resort in Kurdar, within the Belgahna forest range, where meat being cooked in the resort kitchen was seized. Upon inquiry, the resort manager and cook disclosed that the meat had been supplied by Janakram Baiga. Investigation revealed that Janakram Baiga, along with Rajesh, Dev Singh, and Lakhan, had found the carcass of a dead male chital antelope entangled in a chain-link fence near the resort. The group allegedly butchered the carcass and distributed the meat, a portion of which was delivered to the resort manager, Rajnish Singh, and kitchen staff. During investigation, an axe (tangia) and other tools used in the butchering were recovered at the instance of the accused. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicants that the applicants are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case and there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicants. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. The applicants are in jail since 28.03.2026 and trial is 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 applicants, 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. 3 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicants and the fact that there is no any criminal antecedents registered against the present applicants, charge-sheet has been filed and the applicants are in jail since 28.03.2026 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to allow this application. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the applicant Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - Rajkumar Toppo, Janakram Baiga, Devsingh Baiga, Rajesh and Lakhan Singh, involved in Forest Crime No. 17717/04, registered at Police Station – Forest Range Belgahan, District : Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 09, 39(1), (9), 39(1)(H), 39(1)(C), 44(H), 48-A, 50 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties each in the like sum to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicants shall file an undertaking to the effect that they 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 law. (ii) The applicants shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through their counsel. In case of their absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against them under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicants misuses the liberty of bail 4 during trial and in order to secure their 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 them, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicants 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 applicants are 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 them 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 Preeti