1 2026:CGHC:2988 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 691 of 2026 Ankita Paswan D/o Late Hirendra Paswan Aged About 22 Years R/o Kosa Nagar, Near Jyoti Bafle School, Supela, Police Station- Supela, Bhilai, District- Durg (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The SHO- Pulgaon Durg, District- Durg (C.G.) ... Non-applicant(s) For Applicant : Mr. Avinash Chand Sahu, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Priyank Rathi, Government Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 19.01.2026 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. 546/2025 registered at Police Station Pulgaon, District- Durg (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 409, 120B of IPC. 2. The case of the prosecution in brief is that the allegation against the present applicant is that he is working as a money recovery agent in ASAF Small Finance Bank and was duty bound to deposit the recovered amount with the bank, which she duly deposited with the Bank Manager. The amount allegedly involved against the present KUNAL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by KUNAL DEWANGAN 2 applicant is Rs. 86,878/-, along with other co-accused, whereas the total alleged embezzlement in the case is Rs. 84,98,940/-. Thereafter, the concerned police station arrested the present applicant on 10.11.2025 and registered Crime No. 546/2025 at Police Station Pulgaon, District Durg (C.G.) for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 420, 409, and 120-B of the IPC. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the present applicant is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged against her and that she is a lady having no criminal antecedents whatsoever. It is further submitted that one co-accused, namely Reshma Verma, has already been enlarged on bail by this Court in MCRC No. 9839/2025 vide order dated 03.12.2025, and the case of the present applicant stands on the same footing. It is also submitted that another co-accused, namely Arya Goswami, has been enlarged on bail by the learned trial Court vide order dated 05.12.2025, and the case of the present applicant is also similar to her. He further submits that there is no allegation against the present applicant regarding preparation of any forged document or impersonation of any person, even as per the prosecution story. He lastly submits that in the present case, charge-sheet has not yet been filed however, on the ground of parity, she be enlarged on bail. 4. On the other hand learned State counsel opposes the bail application of the present applicant and submits that the charge-sheet has not yet been submitted before the competent Court in the present case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 3 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case as the co-accused, namely, Reshma Verma has already been granted regular bail by this Court on 03.12.2025 in MCRC No. 9839 of 2025 and further another co-accused, namely Arya Goswami, has been enlarged on bail by the learned trial Court vide order dated 05.12.2025 and the applicant being a lady and has been in jail since 10.11.2025 and further the case of the applicant is similar to the case of co-accused, conclusion of the trial may take some more time, therefore, this Court is of the view that the present applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant is allowed. 8. Let the Applicant – Ankita Paswan, involved in Crime No. 546/2025 registered at Police Station Pulgaon, District- Durg (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 409, 120B of IPC, be released on bail on her 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 she 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 her counsel. In case of her absence, without sufÏcient 4 cause, the trial court may proceed against her under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure her 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 her, 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 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 sufÏcient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against her in accordance with law. 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 Kunal