1 2026:CGHC:5044 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 146 of 2026 Pawandeep Singh Gill S/o Late Shri Harminder Singh Gill Aged About 32 Years R/o Gurunanak Nagar, Durg, Tahsil And District Durg, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Pulgaon (Chowki Jevara Sirsa) District Durg, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Kamlesh Patel, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Shri Shubham Bajpai, PL Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 29/01/2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.666/2025 registered at Police Station – Pulgaon (Chowki Jevara Sirsa), District: GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.01.30 18:35:05 +0530 2 - Durg (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 10.12.2025, officials from the Food Department and Transport Flying Squad inspected a vehicle at Poonam Rice Industries, Samoda. The vehicle displayed the registration number CG 17 H 1721. However, upon checking the Chassis Number (448026ETZ722219), it was found that the chassis actually belonged to vehicle registration number CG 04 E 4417, which is registered in the name of the present applicant, Pawandeep Singh Gill. It is alleged that the original number plate was replaced with a fake one to conceal that the applicant's vehicle (CG 04 E 4417) had expired fitness and insurance. Based on a written complaint by the Transport Inspector dated 23.12.2025, the FIR was registered. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is an innocent person and has been falsely implicated in this case and the applicant had no knowledge of the alleged act of changing the number plate and was neither the driver nor present at the spot at the time of seizure. He would submit that although the vehicle stands registered in the name of the applicant, the entire transportation business and day- to-day operations were exclusively managed by his father, Late Shri Harminder Singh Gill, who has since passed away on 06.01.2026. He would submit that the core allegations relate to regulatory violations under the Motor Vehicles Act and upon coming to know of the irregularities, the applicant voluntarily deposited all pending taxes and fines before the RTO on 15.12.2025 and 16.12.2025, much prior to the registration of the FIR on 23.12.2025. He would submit that the 3 applicant is a 32-year-old young man with no criminal antecedents, is the sole earning member of his family and is a permanent resident of address mentioned in the cause title and there is no likelihood of absconding and he undertakes to abide by all conditions imposed by this Court, therefore, he submits that the present applicant is entitled to be released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submission of learned counsel for the parties, materials available on record, considering the nature of allegation levelled against the applicant and also considering the fact that investigation and trial are likely to take some time, therefore, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Pawandeep Singh Gill, on executing a personal bond and 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. 4 (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 his adhaar card along with a coloured 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 gouri