1 2026:CGHC:14105 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 434 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.316/2025 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. 2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that complainant submitted a written application on 28/06/2025 that after retiring from the government job in the year 2019, he had received GPF amount and GOURI MUDALIAR Digitally signed by GOURI MUDALIAR Date: 2026.03.25 11:07:18 +0530 2 went to deposit that amount in Punjab National Bank branch, Raigarh on 09/06/2020 for investing it, where Mohd. Salimuddin (Special Assistant) at Raigarh Branch being an old acquaintance, sought advice on investing the amount, and he was advised to invest in PNB Metlife Company, an associate subsidiary of his bank, he would get good profit and higher interest. Applicant introduced complainant to Nikesh Kumar Pandey, the manager of Metlife company present in the bank. Then Nikesh Kumar Pandey told Complainant that he would get more benefits by depositing a lump sum amount in the insurance. The next day a PNB Metlife policy of Rs. 5,00,000/- was taken in the name of complainant wife Bala Devi Sharma for 5 years and a cheque of Rs. 5,00,000/- was given to Nikesh Kumar Pandey. Nikesh Kumar Pandey got the policy related documents signed. After 10-12 days, he came home and gave the insurance related policy through Nikesh Kumar Pandey. After the completion of the policy period, Complainant went to Punjab National Bank on 17/06/2025 where the bank officer checked the policy number of the policy bond paper and told him that no insurance policy has been issued in the name of Bala Sharma in this policy number. On getting information about the policy bond paper being fake, when contacted main accused Nikesh Kumar Pandey said that there is some error in the policy bond paper, he is evading the issue by saying that he will come to Raigarh and resolve it. Nikesh Kumar Pandey has committed fraud by depositing the cheque amount of Rs 5,00,000/- given for PNB MetLife policy in his own account in Bank of Baroda instead of depositing it in PNB MetLife policy. Consequently, an offense was registered against the applicant and other co-accused persons. 3 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submitted that the co-accused Nikesh Pandey against whom main allegation was levelled has been granted bail by this Court in MCRC No.8901/2025 on 5/12/2025 and so far as the applicant is concerned, he only had directed the complainant to contact the said co-accused person. 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 person has 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 Pandey has been granted bail by this Court in MCRC No.8901/2025 on 5/12/2025, 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