1 2026:CGHC:10778 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 341 of 2026 Surya Pratap Joshi S/o Shri Makhan Lal Joshi Aged About 29 Years R/o Ward No. 09, Naktidih Near Bus Stand, Post Taldevari, Tahsil Champa, District Janjgir-Champa C.G. 495661. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Balod, District Balod C.G. 491226. ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Curtis Collins, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Shri Soumya Rai, Dy.G.A. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 02/03/2026 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. 322/2025 registered at Police Station –Balod, District Balod Chhattisgarh for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 3(5) of B.N.S. GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.03.02 18:22:58 +0530 2 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that in December 2024, Gopal Singh @ Chandra Pratap Joshi, Advisor of Brainipedia Edutech Private Limited, along with Deepak Kumar Karsh, Surypratap Joshi, and Gowri Shankar, approached the complainant at his residence in Pandeypara, Balod, and offered a government school teacher job in exchange for Rs.4,50,000/-. The complainant paid Rs.4,50,000/- on 30.12.2024. After providing online training and assuring appointment after summer vacation, the accused later informed that admissions were closed and the job would not be provided. Subsequently, the complainant was induced to pay an additional Rs.5,50,000/- for registering a private limited company under a government scheme, promising Rs.1 crore in benefits. The amount was paid through bank transfers and cash. Later, an approval letter of Rs.55,00,000/- was found to be related to a loan, which the complainant refused. Despite repeated requests, no refund was made. Thus, a total fraud of Rs.10,00,000/- was allegedly committed by the Gopal @ Chandra Pratap Joshi, Deepak Kumar Karsh, Surypratap Joshi, Gowri Shankar in the name of providing a job and company registration. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that co-accused Gauri Shankar Rao has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 61/2026 on 13.01.2026. He would submit that the FIR was lodged after an unexplained delay of about eight months (incident dated 30.12.2024; FIR dated 08.08.2025), with no reason assigned for such delay. He would submit that the complainant completed training and joined Brainipedia as a Skill Teacher on 22.02.2025 at Rs.22,000/- per month, and worked for three months, reflecting a bona fide transaction and all monetary transactions were conducted through 3 bank/online modes and relate to business/company registration and loan processes undertaken with the complainant’s consent. The dispute is purely financial/civil in nature. He would submit that the applicant is permanent resident of address shown in the cause title, there is no chance of his absconding and applicant is ready to furnish adequate surety and shall abide by all the directions and conditions, which may be 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 but do not dispute the fact that co-accused person has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court. He would submit that the applicant has no criminal antecedents. 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 fact that co-accused Gauri Shankar Rao has already been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in MCRCA No. 61/2026 on 13.01.2026, applicant has no criminal antecedents and also considering the fact that investigation and trial are likely to take some time, without commenting anything on the merits of the case, 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 – Surya Pratap Joshi, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the 4 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 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