1 2026:CGHC:3048 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 177 of 2026 Uttam Verma S/o Shri Suklu Ram Verma Aged About 51 Years R/o Village- Harduva, P.S.- Ghumka, District : Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station- Thelkadih, District : Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Khilendra Sahu, Adv. For Respondent/State : Mr. Aman Tamboli, P.L. Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal Order On Board 19/01/2026 1. The applicant has preferred this 1st bail application under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Act 2023 for grant of regular bail as he is arrested in connection with crime No. 15/2025, registered at Police Station – Thelkadih, District- Khairagarh-Chhuikhadn-Gandai (C.G.) for offence punishable under Section 103 (1) of the BNS, 2023. 2. The prosecution's case, in brief, is that on 24.01.2025, information was received about an unidentified body found in Village Mahrumkala Khar Harduwa Dam dirt track. The deceased was later identified as Mukesh SHUBHAM SINGH RAGHUVANSHI Digitally signed by SHUBHAM SINGH RAGHUVANSHI Date: 2026.01.19 17:54:26 +0530 2 Joshi. A knife has also been found on the crime scene. The applicant is alleged to have murdered Mukesh Joshi due to prior enmity. Based on this, an offence has been registered, and the applicant was arrested on 28.01.2025. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been implicated only on the basis of circumstantial evidence. There was no seizure from the applicant and he was implicated only on the basis of last call summary. He further submits that the applicant is in jail since 28.01.2025, out of 17 prosecution witnesses, 10 have been examined and they all have turned hostile. The trial is likely to take some time to be finalized, therefore, it is prayed that the applicant may be enlarged on bail. 4. On the other hand, the State's counsel opposes the bail application, arguing that the applicant made the last call to the deceased's wife. 5. I have heard learned Counsel appearing for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, evidence collected by the prosecution, detention period of the applicant and the fact that trial is likely to take time to be finalized, without commenting on merits of the case, I am inclined to release the applicant on bail. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is Allowed. 8. It is directed that the applicant shall be released on bail on executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 20,000/- with one solvent surety for the like sum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court for his appearance before the said Court as and when directed. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge Shubham