1 2026:CGHC:19923 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3338 of 2026 Ritesh Chauhan S/o. Kanhaiya Lal Chauhan, Aged About 19 Years, Current Address- Kayaghat Muktidham Ke Pass Thana Jutmil District- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Jutmil Raigarh, Distt.- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Shubham Tripathi, Advocate For Respondent/State : Ms. Priya Sharma, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Justice Radhakishan Agrawal Order on Board 29/04/2026 1. This is First bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 for grant of regular bail to applicant, who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.400/2025, registered at PS - Jutmil, District - Raigarh, (C.G.) for commission of offence punishable under Sections 137(2), 87, 64(2)(M) punishable under Sections 64(2), 65(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and 5(B) punishable under Section 6 of POCSO Act, 2012. 2. In compliance of order dated 16.04.2026, the victim is present along with her mother through video conferencing from the concerned DLSA, and on PRAKASH KUMAR Digitally signed by PRAKASH KUMAR Date: 2026.04.29 17:11:20 +0530 2 being asked, they have raised ‘no objection’ on the application filed by the applicant for grant of bail. 3. The prosecution case, in brief, is that the complainant (mother of the prosecutrix) lodged a report alleging that her minor daughter, aged about 17 years and 8 months, left home without informing anyone on 10.11.2025 while the parents were away for work. When she did not return, a missing report was lodged. During investigation, the police recovered the prosecutrix on 17.11.2025 and handed her over to her mother. In her statement, the prosecutrix stated that she was acquainted with the accused prior to the incident and had voluntarily left home after being scolded by her father. She met the accused at Raigarh Railway Station, and they travelled together to various places including Lailunga, Durg, and Korba, where they stayed together in a rented house as husband and wife. Thereafter, she returned and rejoined her family. On the basis of these allegations, an FIR was registered and applicant was arrested in the alleged crime/offence. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that victim is a major girl, aged about 20 years old and she has already been examined wherein she has stated that the applicant has not committed the alleged act with her and he has not taken her anywhere, as such, she has not supported the case of the prosecution. He further submits that applicant is in jail since 17.11.2025, charge-sheet has been already filed and conclusion of trial may take some time, hence, applicant may be released on bail. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for the State opposes the bail application. 3 6. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and allegations against the applicant, and upon perusal of the statement of the victim and further considering the fact that victim and her mother has raised no objection on grant of bail to the applicant, and as the conclusion of the trial may take some time, without commenting on the merits of the case, I am inclined to grant bail to the applicant. 8. Accordingly, bail application is allowed. It is directed that applicant shall be released on regular bail, on his furnishing a bail bond in sum of Rs.20,000/- with one surety in like sum to satisfaction of concerned Court on the conditions that- a) 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. b) Applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial, and c) Applicant shall appear before trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. Certified copy as per rules. Sd/- (Radhakishan Agrawal) Judge Prakash