1 2026:CGHC:14130 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 2029 of 2026 Karan Mandavi S/o Shri Santuram Mandavi Aged About 19 Years R/o Ward No. 2, Ganesh Chowk, Dallirajhara, Distt. Balod, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. Rajhara, Distt. Balod, Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Sudhanshu Kumar Singh, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Dr. Sourabh Pande, Dy. Advocate General Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 24.03.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.285/2025 registered at Police Station – Rajhara District – Balod District Sarguja (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 296, 351(3), 115(2), 117 (2) & 3(5) of the BNS 2023. VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.03.25 12:10:32 +0530 2 2. The prosecution case, in brief is that on 07.09.2025 the Domar Singh filed a complaint at Police Station concerned that after having dinner, he was on his way to the checkpoint near ITI, when he encountered two boys on the way. They asked him where he was going, followed him, and grabbed his pocked. When the complainant tried to breakfree, the accused struck him below his right shoulder with sharp object, injured him. So on the basis of the report, Police registered the offence and arrested the applicant. And the above stated offence has been committed by the accused person and they were arrested on 08/09/2025 and the aforesaid, crime has been committed and after completion of the investigation charge sheet has been filed before the competent court. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case, in the present case is based on false and baseless allegations. It is submitted that the injury caused, if any, is not grievous in nature and is not on any vital part of the body, and the applicant has not assaulted the complainant as alleged. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has already been filed and the applicant has been in judicial custody since 08.09.2025, and despite the lapse of considerable time, only one witness has been examined, indicating that the trial is likely to take a long time for its conclusion. The applicant has no previous criminal antecedents and is a law-abiding citizen. It is also submitted that a co- accused in the same case has already been enlarged on bail by this Hon’ble Court in MCRC No. 1004/2026 vide order dated 29.01.2026, and the case of the present applicant stands on similar footing. The applicant undertakes to cooperate with the trial and abide by any 3 conditions imposed by this Hon’ble Court. Therefore, it is most humbly prayed that the applicant may kindly be released on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State, opposes the bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the present applicant, and the fact that the co-accused, namely Yash Kumar Santre @ Yogesh, has already been granted bail vide order dated 29.01.2026 passed in MCRC No. 1004 of 2026, and further considering that the charge-sheet has already been filed before the competent Court, that the applicant have been in judicial custody since 08.09.2025, and that the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail in the present case. 7. Let applicant, Karan Mandavi, involved in Crime No.285/2025 registered at Police Station – Rajhara District – Balod District Sarguja (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 296, 351(3), 115(2), 117 (2) & 3(5) of the BNS 2023, be released on bail on furnishing 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 4 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 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 provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaibhav