1 2026:CGHC:13764 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 342 of 2026 • Jaikant Sahu S/o Sant Ram Sahu Aged About 31 Years R/o Ward No. 8 Near Durga Mandir, Gharghoda, Raigarh, District Raigarh C.G. Pin Code- 496111. ... Applicant(s) versus 1. State of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O. P.S. Kasdol, District Baloda Bazar C.G. (Correctly Mentioned) 2. Meenakshi Sahu D/o Sanjay Sahu R/o Kasdol, Balodabazar District Balodabazar C.G. Pincode- 493335. ... Respondent(s) (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Vijay Satya Krishna Ojha, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Sameeksha Gupta, Panel Lawyer For Objector Mr. Shiv Sevak, Advocate Hon’ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 23/03/2026 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.22/2026 registered at Police Station – Kasdol, District-Baloda Bazar (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Section – 296, 3(5) and 85 of BNS (Correspondence Section in IPS in 498-A). 2. As per Case of the prosecution, the marriage of applicant Jaikant Sahu, with the complainant, Ms. Meenakshi Sahu, was solemnized VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Digitally signed by VAISHALI LUCKY NAGARIA Date: 2026.03.24 17:17:57 +0530 2 on 03.12.2024 as per Hindu rites and customs at the complainant's native place. That the applicant is, permanent residents of Village gharghoda District Raigarh (Chhattisgarh), applicant's father sant ram sahu aged around 58 years working as lecturer in government school and applicant's mother i.e Hulsi sahu aged around 48 years engaged in agriculture and domestic work, with no prior criminal history and deep roots in society. That after the marriage, the complainant came to live in the matrimonial home at Village ghargoda District Raigarh. That the matrimonial life peaceful initially, was but subsequently certain differences arose between the complainant and husband Jaikant Sahu on account dowry money and demanding of cash for car allegedly. The allegation is against the husband jaikant sahu regarding asking for dowry money about 5 lakh rupees and subjecting her to cruelty. That as per complainant story her family gave 3 lakh cash and 40 tola chandi and 5 tola gold in the wedding and with this the husbands family was not satisfied. Husband and his parents again demanded 5 lakh cash and a car from wife/complainant and her family, she was being taunted by her husband and his parents for not meeting dowry demands thus subjecting her to cruelty. Further the husband and his parents used to abuse the wife/complainant on not fulfilling their dowry demands. That on 18.09.2025, the complainant submitted a written application at Police Station Kasdol alleging dowry demands and cruelty. On the basis of the said application, FIR No. 0022/2026 was registered on 13.01.2026 at Police Station Kasdol for offences under Sections 85, 296 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. That the allegations in the FIR are primarily directed against the husband Jaikant Sahu. The only specific act of physical cruelty is attributed solely to the husband. As regards the present applicant the 3 allegations are entirely general, omnibus and vague in nature, such as "harassment", "taunts" and "demanding 5,00,000 and a car", ₹ without any specific date, time, place or particular overt act attributed to either of the applicants. That no medical evidence, injury report or independent witnesses have been cited in support of any physical cruelty. The applicant apprehend arrest in connection approaching this with the aforesaid FIR and is Hon'ble Court for protection of their personal liberty. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in the present case. He would submit that applicant has never tortured the complainant for demand of dowry in any manner. He also submits that parties are directed to remain present before the Mediation Center on 02.03.2026 for their compromise and also directed the applicant to deposit Rs.1,00,000/- with the Mediation Center of the High Court within 10 days, but Mediation failed. He also submits that investigation and trial are likely to take time, therefore, he submits that the present applicant is entitled to be released on anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel as well as learned counsel for the Objector opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, gravity of offence, also considering the fact that parties are directed to remain present before the Mediation Center on 02.03.2026 for their compromise and also directed the applicant to deposit Rs.1,00,000/- with the 4 Mediation Center of the High Court within 10 days, but Mediation failed, as such, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the anticipatory bail application of the applicant– Jaikant Sahu, filed under Section 482 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 involved in Crime No.22/2026 registered at Police Station – Kasdol, District-Baloda Bazar (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Section – 296, 3(5) and 85 of BNS (Correspondence Section in IPS in 498-A), is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant on executing a personal bond with one surety each in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, they 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 their adhaar card alongwith a colored 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 themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice vaishali