1 2026:CGHC:5784 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 161 of 2026 Ankit Agrawal S/o Late Jitendra Agrawal Aged About 25 Years R/o Naya Ganj Koshta Para, Raigarh, Tahsil And Distt. - Raigarh Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O. P.S. City Kotwali, Distt. Raigarh Chhattisgarh ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Amit Sharma, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, PL. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 02.02.2026 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.678/2025 registered at Police Station – City Kotwali District – Raigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 303(2) of BNS, 2023. SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Digitally signed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Date: 2026.02.03 14:52:28 +0530 2 2. As per the prosecution case, on 25.12.2025 at about 12:30 a.m., the complainant Karan attended a rooftop party at Galaxy Mall, Raigarh. While he was leaving the mall, a quarrel was taking place near the gate, during which he intervened. It is alleged that in the course of the said intervention, the complainant lost his gold chain weighing about 80 grams, valued at approximately ₹8,00,000/-. On this allegation, an offence under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered by Police Station City Kotwali, District Raigarh (C.G.) against the applicant, leading to the present application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated by the complainant in relation to the incident dated 25.12.2025. The applicant is a shop owner and was present at his shop with his mother at the relevant time and owing to Christmas Eve rush, the shop was closed late. It is submitted that prior to the present FIR, a complaint was already lodged against the complainant by Faij Ahmed, and thereafter, with an ulterior motive, the complainant filed a counter-case to falsely implicate the applicant, who had disclosed true facts before the police. He further submits that the CCTV footage does not show involvement of the applicant and the FIR has been registered solely on the basis 3 of false statements. He further submits that apart from the present case, only one another case i.e. Crime No.76/2022 under Sections 376(2) and 509 IPC is pending against the applicant, hence, custodial interrogation is not required and the applicant deserves the benefit of anticipatory bail. 4. Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the application and submits that as there is one criminal antecedent against the present applicant, therefore, he does not deserve the benefit of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Having considered the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties and on perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the implication of the applicant is primarily based on the statement of the complainant and the CCTV footage does not prima facie indicate his involvement in the alleged incident. It also appears that a prior complaint had been lodged against the complainant and the present FIR was registered thereafter. The mere existence of one criminal antecedent, by itself, is not sufficient to deny the relief of anticipatory bail. In the facts and circumstances of the case, custodial interrogation of the 4 applicant does not appear to be necessary at this stage. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the anticipatory bail application is allowed. 7. Accordingly, it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Ankit Agrawal, 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 him 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 involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Priya