1 2026:CGHC:14106 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 432 of 2026 Md. Salimuddin S/o Md Nooruddin Aged About 63 Years R/o Shailendra Nagar, Quarter No.. D- 02, Bank Colony, District- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, City Kotwali Raigarh, District- Raigarh (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Shri Faisal Akhtar, Advocate. For Respondent/State : Ms. Anusha Naik, Dy.G.A. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 24/03/2026 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.331/2025 registered at Police Station – City Kotwali, District- Raigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 409, 467, 468, 471, 34 of the Indian Penal Code. GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.03.25 11:07:16 +0530 2 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that complainant submitted a written application on 10/07/2025. The information regarding the life insurance being given to the applicant who is the employee of Bank and complainant know the applicant very well from long time applicant told complainant to meet with the co-accused Nikesh Pandey, who used to do insurance in the bank, co-accused Nikesh Pandey given policy to the complainant in the year 2017 for 07 years, in lieu of which complainant had to deposit Rs. 50,000/- annually as installment, complainant used to go to the bank regularly and deposit cash with Nikesh Pandey, Syed Shahid Ali and sometimes with Salimuddin. Complainant kept depositing Rs. 52,277/- and Rs. 50,000/- in the year 2019-20 to Nikesh Kumar Pandey, an employee of Metlife Company, for which co-accused Nikesh Pandey gives a deposit slip. I had given the installment of Rs. 50,000 each for November 2021-22 to Salimuddin for cash deposit in Punjab National Bank. After completion of 07 years period, when complainant went to the bank to get information regarding the policy, it was found that only 02 installments were deposited in the said policy and the employees of PNB Metlife have committed fraud by not depositing the installment in the policy insurance. Consequently, an offence was registered against the applicant and other co-accused persons. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submitted that the co-accused Nikesh Kumar Pandey against whom main allegation was levelled has been granted bail by this Court in MCRC No.9100/2025 on 5/12/2025 and also co-accused Saiyad Shahid Ali has been granted bail by this court in MCRC No.8374/2025 on 5/12/2025 and so far as the applicant 3 is concerned, he only had directed the complainant to contact the said co-accused persons. He would further submit that applicant is ready to abide by all the directions and conditions, which may be imposed by this Court while granting bail and the applicant is a permanent resident of address mentioned in the cause title, therefore, there is no likelihood of his absconding, 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 persons have been granted regular bail by this court. She 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 nature of allegation against the applicant, further the fact that co-accused Nikesh Kumar Pandey has been granted bail by this Court in MCRC No.9100/2025 on 5/12/2025 and also co-accused Saiyad Shahid Ali has been granted bail by this court in MCRC No.8374/2025 on 5/12/2025, further the fact that 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. 4 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Md. Salimuddin, 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 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