1 2026:CGHC:21156 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4202 of 2026 Satyam Keshari S/o Uday Prasad Keshari Aged About 26 Years R/o Sattipara Near Sharda Vidyapeeth School, Ambikapur, P.S. Ambikapur, Distt. Surguja, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Gandhinagar, Distt. Surguja, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Shakti Raj Sinha, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Soumya Rai, Deputy Government Advocate. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 06/05/2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No.05/2026, registered at Police Station- Gandhinagar, District - Suraguja (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 317(4), 111 and 3(5) of BNS. 2. As per the prosecution story, it is evident that, based on a written complaint submitted by the informant, Inspector Pradeep Jaiswal, on behalf of the government, a named FIR was registered against the holder of account number 68026352482 and co-accused Ujjwal PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.05.07 12:47:32 +0530 2 Upadhyay. Subsequent investigation revealed that the applicant and the co-accused were allegedly involved in operating illegal cricket betting activities. They are accused of procuring bank accounts from other individuals and using such mule accounts to facilitate the transfer and circulation of proceeds derived from illegal betting transactions. Hence, the present offence has been registered. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is also submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed. Learned counsel further submits that co-accused, namely, Amit Mishra @Pahlu has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 05.05.2026 passed in MCRC No. 4138/2026. He further submits that the applicant has one previous criminal antecedents and the applicant is in jail since 21.01.2026, hence he prays for grant of regular bail on the ground of parity. 4. Per contra, learned counsel for the State has opposed the bail application and submits that 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 6. Considering the rival submissions of learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the allegations and the material available on record and the fact that the charge-sheet has been filed and the co-accused, namely, Amit Mishra @Pahlu has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 05.05.2026 passed in MCRC No. 4138/2026, further the applicant has one previous criminal antecedents and the applicant is in jail since 21.01.2026, this Court is of the view that the present 3 applicant is entitled to be released on bail on the ground of parity. 7. Let applicant, Satyam Keshari involved in Crime No.05/2026, registered at Police Station- Gandhinagar, District - Suraguja (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 317(4), 111 and 3(5) of BNS, be released on bail on his furnishing personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he 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 applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his 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 him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge 4 and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is 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 him 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