1 2026:CGHC:9324 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 1857 of 2026 • Rambaran S/o Jokhan Kodaku Aged About 42 Years R/o Village Mahavirganj, Out Post Vijaynagar, P.S. Ramanujganj, Distt. Balrampur Ramanujganj, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus • State of Chhattisgarh Through Forest Range (S.H.O.), P.S. Ramanujganj, Distt. Balrampur- Ramanujganj, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant : Ms. Parwati Suryawanshi, Advocate For Respondent/State : Ms. Smriti Shrivasatava, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 23.02.2026 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 21961/14, registered at Police Station – Forest Range, Ramanujganj District – Balrampur-Ramanujganj (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 2, 9, 50, 51 and 52 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that on 07.09.2025, information was received at Beat No. P3453 from village Mahavirganj stating that a wild elephant had collapsed near the residence of Rambaran, VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2026.02.24 11:36:42 +0530 2 situated by the Barkha Nala. Upon receipt of said information, the Forest Guard of Beat No. P3453 reached at the spot and conducted an inspection. During the investigation, it was found that an illegal electricity connection had been established by drawing wires by Virendra Kodaku and Rambaran Kodaku. The elephant died as a result of coming into contact with these live wires. After completing the procedure, forest range officer of forest range Ramanujganj has filed the charge sheet before the Court. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case and there is no any criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant. It is further submitted that the alleged electricity connection was for domestic or agricultural use, not specifically intended to hunt or trap a wild animal. Further, the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. The applicant is in jail since 09.09.2025 and trial is likely to take quite long time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, and the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that there is no any criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant, 3 the applicant is in jail since 09.09.2025 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, considering the period of the detention of the applicant, I am inclined to allow this application. 7. Let applicant, Rambaran, involved in Crime No.21961/14, registered at Police Station – Forest Range, Ramanujganj District – Balrampur- Ramanujganj (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 2, 9, 50, 51 and 52 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of 4 statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Vaishali