1 2026:CGHC:18018-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPCR No. 215 of 2026 Mahendra Tandon S/o- Late Shri Tirath Ram Tandon, Aged About 77 Years Occupation- Businessman, R/o- A-1, 204, Hill View Apartment, Jharmajri Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. ... Petitioner versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Nava Raipur, Atal Nagar, District-Raipur (C.G.) 2 - The Superintendent of Police, Durg, District- Durg (C.G.) 3 - Station House Officer, Police Station City Kotwali, Durg, District- Durg (C.G.) ... Respondents _________________________________________________________ For Petitioner : Mr. Vivek Chopda, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Saumya Rai, Dy. Govt. Advocate Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal , Judge Order on Board Per Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice 21 . 04 .202 6 1. Heard Mr. Vivek Chopda, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. Saumya Rai, learned Deputy Government Advocate, appearing for the State/respondents. 2. The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner with the following prayers: ROHIT KUMAR CHANDRA Digitally signed by ROHIT KUMAR CHANDRA 2 “A. A writ and/or an order in the nature of writ of mandamus do issue directing the Respondent No. 2 (Superintendent of Police, Durg) to strictly ensure the appearance of the Investigating Officer in Khatma No. 22/2024 arising out of FIR No. 1358/2022, currently pending as Criminal Case No. RCC/34288/2024 (State of C.G. vs. Manager of SBI), before the Ld. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Durg, in accordance with law. B. A writ and/or an order in the nature of writ of appropriate nature do issue directing the Ld. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Durg, in Criminal Case No. RCC/34288/2024 (State of C.G. vs. Manager of SBI), to take appropriate steps and penal action against the Investigating Officer for his continuous non-appearance. C. A writ and/or an order in the nature of writ of appropriate nature do issue directing the Ld. Court below to ensure the time-bound disposal of the further investigation and proceedings pending before it in Criminal Case No. RCC/34288/2024 (State of C.G. vs. Manager of SBI). D. A writ and/or an order in the nature of writ of appropriate nature do issue directing the Respondent Authorities to immediately cease and desist from pressurizing or coercing the Petitioner to withdraw his complaint against the accused persons. E. Any other relief which this Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the facts and circumstances of the case. F. Cost of the petition may also be awarded.” 3. The petitioner happens to be the complainant of the case and closure report has already been filed before the learned Chief Judicial 3 Magistrate, Durg way back on 19.04.2024. It is stated that statement of the complainant has already been recorded on 23.06.2025 and thereafter, the Investigating Officer is not appearing before the Court concern for disposal of the said closure report because of which the matter is still lingering on. 4. Learned State counsel has pointed out that the Investigating Officer will present before the Court concern on the next date of hearing i.e. on 14th of May, 2026. 5. We hope and trust that the statement made by learned State counsel at Bar should be followed and the concern SHO shall appear before the Court concern on the next date of hearing i.e. on 14th of May, 2026 and on his appearance, the Court concern shall record the statement of Investigating Officer and pass appropriate orders, if possible, on the same day. Failing which, the Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh is directed to take appropriate action against the SHO concerned. 6. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the instant petition stands disposed of. Sd/- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice Chandra