1 2026:CGHC:23079 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 694 of 2026 Vivek Kumar Poddar S/o Shambhu Poddar (Wrongly Mention As Shabhu Podadar) Aged About 35 Years (Wrongly Mentioned As Vivek Podar) R/o Sundar Nagar, Ward No. 22, Camp-01, Supela Bhilai, Tehsil And District Durg Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Chhawani, District Durg Chhattisgarh ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. B.P. Singh, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State For Objector : : Mr. Priyank Rathi, G.A. Mr. Rajendra Patel, Advocate. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 14.05.2026 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.210/2026 registered at Police Station – Chhawani, District Durg (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Section 308 of the BNS 2023. VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.05.15 18:32:32 +0530 2 2. The prosecution story, in brief is that a complainant Bala Raju has lodged a report in Police station Chhawani Bhilai Durg District Durg on 01/04/2026 stating that some unknown person has called him by imitating the member of Bajarang Dal and tried to extort the sum of Rs. 5,00,000/- if not paid then they will demolish the Church whose construction is ongoing, which is situated in Sundar Nagar Bilai. Hence the offence has been committed. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the police, and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that the complaint was never lodged against the applicant and his name has surfaced only in the memorandum statement of the co-accused, which by itself has no evidentiary value and appears to have been used solely to falsely implicate the applicant, particularly as he is a member of the Police Force. It is further submitted that the main accused, namely Rahul Thakur, has himself submitted a complaint before the Superintendent of Police on 19/03/2026 alleging that the case is a conspiracy and that the complainant is attempting to falsely implicate him. Moreover, the main accused has already been extended the benefit of release upon service of notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and therefore, on the principle of parity, the present applicant is also entitled to similar relief. The applicant is a law-abiding citizen, a permanent resident of the address mentioned in the application, and has deep roots in society; there is no likelihood of absconding or tampering with evidence. His arrest would cause irreparable loss to his reputation and career, and therefore, he deserves the protection sought from this Hon’ble Court. 3 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel as well as learned counsel for the objector opposed the anticipatory bail application filed by the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the dispute, and the material available on record, without commenting anything further on the merits of the case, this Court finds it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Vivek Kumar Poddar on executing a personal bond and one local surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he 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) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he 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 4 having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaibhav