1 2026:CGHC:649 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 2004 of 2025 Ravikumar Tandel S/o Late Duggu Ram Tandel Aged About 32 Years R/o Village - Pipardula, Post - Bhinodi, Tahsil - Sarsiva, District - Sarangarh- Bilaigarh, Chhattisgarh ...Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station - Hardibazar, District - Korba, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Aditya Tiwari, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Nuper Trivedi, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 06.01.2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 195/2025 registered at Police Station – Hardibazar, District – Korba (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 409 of the IPC. 2. The prosecution story in brief, is that a written complaint dated 17.10.2024 alleging that the applicant, who was posted as Gramin Dak Sewak Karyavahak at Branch Dakpal, Bhilai Bazar, had VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.01.07 11:00:28 +0530 2 misappropriated the amounts deposited by various customers in their Saving Bank Accounts, Mahila Samman Certificates and Time Deposit (T.D.) Accounts on different dates, and had thereby wrongfully obtained a total sum of Rs. 6,51,000/-. On receipt of the said complaint, a departmental enquiry was conducted, and thereafter the FIR was registered at Crime No. 195/2025 for commission of the offence punishable under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code. Hence, the present application for anticipatory bail has been filed on behalf of the applicant. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated. He further submits that the applicant was posted only as a Dak Runner (Sewak) at Branch Dakpal Jamnipali, whose primary duty was merely to deliver letters, and though he was additionally assigned the work of Gramin Dak Sewak Karyavahak at Branch Dakpal Bhilai Bazar, he was neither regular nor fully competent for the said post, yet the work was taken from him by his superiors. It is further submitted that the applicant has already deposited the entire alleged amount of Rs. 6,51,000/- along with interest of Rs. 69,000/- on different dates, details whereof are supported by receipts filed as Annexure A/3, and therefore no amount has been misappropriated by him. At the relevant time, the applicant was not substantively posted at Bhilai Bazar and was only discharging additional duties. The applicant has been falsely roped in the present case only to harass him. He is the sole bread earner of his family and has small children dependent upon him. The applicant is a permanent resident of the place mentioned in the cause title, possesses landed property there, and there is no likelihood of his absconding. He 3 undertakes to cooperate fully with the investigating agency and is ready to furnish adequate surety and abide by all the terms and conditions that may be imposed by this Hon’ble Court. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the applicant deserves the indulgence of this Hon’ble Court by granting him the benefit of anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions advanced by the learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the dispute, and the material available in the case diary, it appears that the applicant has already deposited the entire alleged amount of Rs. 6,51,000/- along with interest of Rs. 69,000/- on different dates, the details whereof are duly supported by the receipts filed as Annexure A/3, therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Ravikumar Tandel, 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 4 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