1 2026:CGHC:3047 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 154 of 2026 Krishna Kumar Patre S/o Late Sewa Ram Patre Aged About 36 Years R/o Village Hathbay, Police Station Gariyaband, District Gariyaband, Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Gariyaband, District Gariyaband C.G. ... Respondent For Applicant : Mohammad Afroz Athar, Adv. For Respondent/State : Ms. Laxmeen Kashyap, 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. 37/2025, registered at Police Station – Gariyaband, District- Gariyaband (C.G.) for offence punishable under Section 103 (1), 238, 61(2), 3(5) of the BNS, 2023. 2. The prosecution's case, in short, is that on 19.03.2025, information was received about an unidentified half burnt body found in Village Hathbay. The deceased was later identified as Samari Bai. It was revealed that SHUBHAM SINGH RAGHUVANSHI Digitally signed by SHUBHAM SINGH RAGHUVANSHI Date: 2026.01.19 17:54:26 +0530 2 the deceased died due to strangulation. The applicant is alleged to have murdered the deceased. Based on this, an offence has been registered, and the applicant was arrested on 23.03.2025. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been implicated only on the basis of circumstantial evidence. There is no direct evidence available on record against the applicant. He further submits that the applicant is in jail since 23.03.2025, out of 29 prosecution witnesses, 4 have been examined and 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, submitting that the applicant has a history of 7 criminal cases. 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, without commenting on merits of the case, I am not inclined to release the applicant on bail. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is rejected. However, looking to the detention period of the applicant, the concerned Trial Court is directed to expedite the trial and to ensure that the trial is concluded as early as possible. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge Shubham