1 2026:CGHC:18157 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3596 of 2026 Sukhendra Verma S/o Gangadhar Verma Aged About 28 Years R/o Village Mudparkala, Out Post Kandarka, Thana Berla, Distt. Bemetara, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through SHO, Out Post Kandarka, Thana Berla, Distt. Bemetara, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Samir Singh, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Ritika Verma, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 21.04.2026 1. This is the First bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 13/2026 registered at Police Station – Out Post – Kandarka, Thana – Berla, District – Bemetara (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 108 and Section 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on 28.03.2025, the deceased, Smt. Madhuri Verma, committed suicide by consuming poison. Accordingly, a merg was registered. During the course of the merg inquiry and investigation, an FIR was lodged on 12.01.2026, alleging that the ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.04.22 11:26:52 +0530 2 applicant had harassed the deceased. During the course of the inquiry, the police recorded the statements of her relatives and other witnesses and registered an offence under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the applicant. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. He submits that the date of the incident is 28.03.2025, and after a lapse of nearly one year, the statements of the relatives of the deceased were recorded and allegations were made. No allegations were made by any witness in close proximity to (“soon before”) the death. He also submits that learned Sessions Judge rejected the regular bail application on the ground that certain injuries were found on the body of the deceased. However, as per the Naksha Panchayatnama dated 29.03.2025, it is clearly mentioned that no injuries were found on the body. He submits that even if the prosecution case is accepted in its entirety, the ingredients of abetment, as contemplated under Section 45 of the BNS, are not attracted in the present case. Therefore, it cannot be held that the applicant abetted or instigated the deceased to commit suicide. He submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case, and his reputation is at stake. In the same crime, other co-accused persons have already been granted bail by the learned trial court. He further submits that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents and he is in jail since 05.02.2026, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application of the present applicant and submits that as per the record, on 28.03.2025 at about 4:30 PM, the deceased, Smt. Madhuri Verma, committed suicide by consuming pesticide. After completion of the inquest 3 proceedings, a merg was registered at Police Station Berla as Merg No. 73/2025 upon receipt of intimation from Mekahara Hospital, Raipur. During the merg inquiry, statements of the husband, Sukhendra Verma, father-in-law, Gangadhar Verma, and mother-in-law, Gangotri Bai, were recorded, wherein it was alleged that the deceased was subjected to harassment, including physical assault and character assassination, on the pretext of not performing household work, and due to such cruelty and instigation, she consumed poison and died. She further submits that as per the prosecution case, the accused Sukhendra Verma is the husband of the deceased, and the post-mortem report records the presence of multiple injuries on the body of the deceased, supporting the prosecution case, including seven injuries, contusions over both forearms, right thigh (anterior and posterior aspects), and right arm, along with abrasions on the right wrist and forearm, as detailed in the report. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to the grant of regular bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the applicant, and the material available on record, including that the deceased, Smt. Madhuri Verma, committed suicide by consuming pesticide, further, the allegations of harassment, physical assault, and character assassination made against the applicant and other co-accused during the merg inquiry and also taking into account the post-mortem report indicating multiple injuries on the body of the deceased, which prima facie supports the prosecution case, therefore, this Court is of the opinion that it is not a fit case to enlarge the applicant on bail. 7. Accordingly, the first bail application of the applicant – Sukhendra 4 Verma, involved in Crime No. 13/2026 registered at Police Station – Out Post – Kandarka, Thana – Berla, District – Bemetara (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 108 and Section 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. OfÏce 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 Abhishek