1 2026:CGHC:5228 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 364 of 2026 Raghunandan Markam S/o Balram Markam Aged About 20 Years R/o Village Lakhodana, Police Station Kota, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Pathariya, District Mungeli (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Kripesh G. Kela, Advocate For Respondent : Ms. Sunita Manikpuri, Govt. Advocate Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal Order On Board 30.01.2026 1. The victim along with her mother appeared before this Court today through virtual mode from the concerned DLSA and expressed their no-objection in granting bail to the applicant. 2. This is the first bail application filed u/s 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.188/2025 registered at Police Station Pathariya, District Mungeli (CG) for BHOLA NATH KHATAI Digitally signed by BHOLA NATH KHATAI Date: 2026.01.31 11:04:53 +0530 2 offence punishable under Sections 137(2), 87, 64(1), 64(2)(m) of BNS and Sections 4 & 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. 3. As per the prosecution case, the applicant knowing well that the victim was a minor, yet he took her on a motorcycle to Lakhodana, where after marrying her, he committed sexual intercourse with her several times. On report being lodged in this regard, the applicant was arrested on 03.11.2025. 4. Learned counsel for applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. The victim and her mother have been examined before the trial Court and they have not supported the case of prosecution and turned hostile. The victim and her mother have expressed their no- objection in granting bail to the applicant. He further submits that out of total 20 witness, only 2 witnesses i.e. the victim and her mother have been examined till date, the applicant is in jail since 03.11.2025 and there is no likelihood of the trial to be concluded at the earliest. Hence, considering all these facts, the applicant may be released on bail. 5. Learned State counsel, on the other hand, opposing the bail application submits that the victim was minor at the time of incident and considering the nature of offence, the applicant does not deserve to be released on bail. 6. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 3 7. Taking into consideration the entire facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the court statements of the victim and her mother and also considering the facts that the victim and her mother have expressed their no-objection in granting bail to the applicant, there are total 20 witnesses, out of which only 2 witnesses i.e. the victim and her mother have been examined so far, the applicant is in jail since 03.11.2025 and there is all possibility of the trial taking considerable time for its conclusion, this Court is of the opinion that a case for grant of bail to the applicant has been made out. 8. Accordingly, the application for grant of bail is allowed. It is directed that the present Applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court. The applicant is directed to appear before the trial Court on each and every date to be given to him by the said Court till completion of the trial. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Khatai JUDGE