1 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1443 of 2026 Sanjeev Mandal @ Bhanu S/o Shailendra Mandal Aged About 29 Years R/o Digma, Near Rohit Electronic, Police Station- Gandhinagar, District - Surguja (C.G.) ...Applicant versus The State Of Chhattisgarh Through SHO, Police Station - Gandhinagar, District - Surguja (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Rishikant Mahobia, Advocate For Respondent : Mr. Vivek Sharma, P.L. Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal Order On Board 23.02.2026 1. 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.489/2024 registered at Police Station Gandhinagar, District Surguja (CG) for the offence punishable under Section 103 of BNS and Sections 25 & 27 of the Arms Act. BHOLA NATH KHATAI Digitally signed by BHOLA NATH KHATAI Date: 2026.02.24 10:31:28 +0530 2 2. As per the prosecution case, the allegation against the applicant is that on 20.08.2024 at around 6:30 p.m., he committed murder of deceased Akshat Agrawal by firing 3 bullets into his chest in Ghutri forest. 3. Learned counsel appearing for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He submits that there is no eye witness to the incident and the case is based only on circumstantial evidence. He submits that except memorandum statement, there is no evidence to connect the applicant with the alleged crime. He further submits that there are total 37 witnesses out of which only 13 have been examined, the applicant is in jail since 21.08.2024 and there is no likelihood of the trial to be concluded at the earliest, therefore, considering all these facts, the applicant may be released on bail. 4. Learned State counsel, on the other hand, opposing the bail application submits that the weapon of offence (pistol), amount and the locket of the deceased have been seized from possession of the applicant. Therefore, considering the nature of offence, the applicant does not deserve to be released on bail. 5. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the entire facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the nature and gravity of offence and the 3 material collected and available on record against the applicant, this Court is not inclined to release the applicant on bail. 7. Accordingly, the present bail application stands rejected. 8. However, considering it to be an exceptional case as the applicant is in jail since 21.08.2024 i.e. about one year six months, the Trial Court is directed to ensure that the trial is concluded as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of 6 months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) JUDGE Khatai