1 2026:CGHC:1171 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 27 of 2026 Ramashankar Sahu S/o Ramsubhag Sahu Aged About 45 Years Profession Government Fair Price Shop Operator, R/o Village Tendua. P.S. Patna District- Koriya (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through- Station House Officer Police Station, Patna, District- Koriya (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Shakti Raj Sinha, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Bharat Gulabnai, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 08.01.2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 244/2025 registered at Police Station - Patna, District- Koriya (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 3/7 of Essential Commodities Act. 2. As per the case diary, the Government Fair Price Shop at Tendua is operated by the applicant. An inspection and physical verification of the said shop were conducted on 24.11.2025, 25.11.2025, and 26.11.2025. During the physical verification, a shortage of 275.08 quintals of rice, 2 valued at approximately Rs.1,86,816.32, and 7.73 quintals of salt, valued at approximately Rs.28,028.61, was found. As per the physical verification report, a further shortage of approximately 5.18 quintals of chickpeas was also detected. On the basis of the aforesaid enquiry, the complainant, Ms. Anita, Food Officer, registered a case against the applicant, giving rise to the present offence. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the applicant is a dealer of a Government Fair Price Shop and that, on account of the registration of the present FIR alleging shortages of certain food grains, the Fair Price Shop has already been suspended, further the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents. In view of the above circumstances, learned counsel prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations leveled against the applicant, and the fact that the applicant is a dealer of a Government Fair Price Shop, and that, on account of the registration of the present FIR alleging shortages of certain food grains, the Fair Price Shop has already been suspended, further the applicant has no previous criminal antecedents, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be granted anticipatory bail in the present case. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the 3 event of arrest of the applicant – Ramashankar Sahu on executing a personal bond with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) The 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 his from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) The Applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The Applicant shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d)The Applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of their adhaar card alongwith a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e)The Applicant shall not involved himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Preeti