1 2026:CGHC:11802 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR CRMP No. 712 of 2026 1 - Manoj Choubey S/o Late Manharanlal Choubey, Aged About 57 Years, R/o Ward No. 33 Tikrapara, Police Station City Kotwali, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh. ... Petitioner versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station City Kotwali, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Xyz Nil. ... Respondents For Petitioner : Mr. Leekesh Kumar, Advocate. For State : Ms. Laxmeen Kashyap, P.L. Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal Order on Board 12/03/ 2026 1. In this petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, the petitioner seek a direction for to expedite the trial in Criminal Case No. 2361/2019 pending before the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Bilaspur (C.G.). 2. The facts of the present case, in short, are that the petitioner is an accused facing trial for offences under Sections 354, 323, and 506 Part-II of the IPC, registered at SOURABH PATEL Digitally signed by SOURABH PATEL Date: 2026.03.12 17:03:15 +0530 2 Police Station City Kotwali, Bilaspur, vide Crime No. 332/2018. The FIR alleges that the petitioner, along with a co-accused, outraged the modesty of the complainant. Upon completion of the investigation, a charge-sheet was filed. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that although the FIR was lodged in 2018 and the charge-sheet was filed in 2019, and charges were framed against the petitioner in 2021, there has been no substantial progress in the trial to date. Therefore, it is prayed that this Court may direct the Trial Court to expedite the trial proceedings. 4. I have heard learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner and perused the documents annexed with the petition including the order sheets of the Trial Court. 5. Upon perusal of the records, it is evident that the charge- sheet was filed on 25.06.2019 against accused Nirmala Choubey and showing the petitioner as absconding. The petitioner subsequently appeared in 2021. Nirmala Choubey has since passed away. Charges were framed on 19.03.2021. Thereafter, the case was adjourned for some time for proceedings related to Nirmala Choubey's demise, and several dates were fixed for prosecution witnesses, but they have not appeared. 6. In view of the limited prayer made in this petition, without commenting on the merits of the case, the Trial Court is 3 directed to make all endeavours to expedite the trial, with cooperation from the prosecution and defence. 7. With the above observations/direction, this petition stands finally dispose off at the admission stage itself. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge Sourabh P.