1 2026:CGHC:9253 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 295 of 2026 • Dhananjay Mathur S/o Munichand Mathur, Aged About 39 Years R/o Vill.- Pendritalab, P.S. And Tah. - Lormi District- Mungeli (C.G.) ... Applicant versus • State of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. Lormi, District- Mungeli (C.G.) ... Respondent (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant : Mr. Yogesh Kumar, Advocate For Respondent/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 23/02/2026 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.38/2026 registered at Police Station – Lormi, District: Mungeli, C.G. for the offence punishable under Sections 74, 75(2) of IPC. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the prosecutrix had lodged an FIR against the present applicant alleging that on 19.01.2026 at about 2:00 PM in the afternoon, the present applicant has outraged her modesty by asking her for undue favors on the way between Village Tingipur to Junapara situated at Mungeli District. The VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2026.02.24 11:36:42 +0530 2 applicant humbly submits that he is innocent and has been falsely implicated by the complainant lady who is working as Aawaas Mitra (Contactual Employee) under PM Aawas Yojna and present applicant is Sarpanch of gram panchayat Pendritalab (N) who had submitted a complaint before CMO, Janpad Panchayat, Lormi, Dist.- Mungeli (C.G.) on 24.01.2026 and subsequently present FIR was registered on 31.01.2026. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated by the complainant, who is working as an Aawaas Mitra (contractual employee) under the PM Aawas Yojna. The applicant is the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Pendritalab (N). It is further submitted that there is a delay of about 12 days in lodging the FIR. It is further contends that the prosecutrix is a major and educated woman aged about 35 years who did not report the incident immediately and lodged the report only after the applicant filed a complaint regarding alleged corruption and illegal geo-tagging processes being carried out by her. It is also submitted that, as per the MLC report, no internal or external injuries were found on the body of the prosecutrix. Therefore, it is prayed that the present applicant 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 and submits that, as per the statement of the victim recorded under Section 183 of the BNS, on 19.01.2026 at about 2:00 PM, the present applicant outraged her modesty by asking for undue favours while they were on the way from Village Tingipur to Junapara, situated in District Mungeli. 3 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on records 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, and the material available on record, particularly the fact that the prosecutrix is a major woman aged about 35 years and that there is a delay of 12 days in lodging the FIR, without commenting anything on merit, 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 – Dhananjay Mathur, 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. (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 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 Vaishali