1 2026:CGHC:23034 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 758 of 2026 1 - Ankit Sharma S/o Gopal Sharma Aged About 31 Years R/o Baikunthpur Gali, Near Sbi Atm, Thana And District Raigarh Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Neeraj Sharma, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 14.05.2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.84/2026 registered at Police Station – Basna, District Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 316(4), 317(2), 318(4), 336(2), 338, 340 & 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 25.02.2026, two trucks allegedly transporting sponge iron were intercepted, pursuant to which suspicion regarding theft of the said material arose and, consequently, an FIR came to be registered on ABHIGYA SAXENA Digitally signed by ABHIGYA SAXENA 2 26.02.2026. It is pertinent to note that no complaint has been lodged by any person claiming ownership of the alleged stolen property. The present applicant is neither named in the FIR nor implicated in any memorandum or disclosure statement of the co- accused persons. Furthermore, no material collected during the course of investigation attributes any overt act, role, or involvement to the applicant in connection with the alleged offence. It is also the case of the applicant that he has no association whatsoever with M/s Jai Bhole Ispat or with the alleged transactions in question. It is further submitted that all co- accused persons having direct and proximate connection with the alleged offence have already been granted bail or protection by the competent Courts, including this Court, and the present applicant stands on a comparatively better footing. Hence this anticipatory bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case without any cogent material. It is further contended that similarly placed co-accused persons have already been granted relief by this Court, inasmuch as the arrest of co-accused Ashok Kumar Gupta and Mohammad Shahajada has been stayed vide order dated 08.04.2026 in CRMP No.986 of 2026, and another co- accused, Tarak Ghosh, has been enlarged on bail by this Court vide order dated 09.04.2026 passed in MCRC No. 3228 of 2026. Further other co-accused persons, namely, Amit Kumar Agrawal 3 (MCRCA No.706/2026 decided on 08.05.2026), Amit Sharma (MCRCA No.707/2026 decided on 08.05.2026) and Abdul Salim (MCRCA No.619/2026) have already been granted benefit of anticipatory bail by this Court. On the ground of parity, the present applicant may grant benefit of anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the application for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation made against the applicant and the fact that similarly situated co-accused persons, namely, Ashok Kumar Gupta and Mohammad Shahajada, have already been granted protection from arrest by this Court vide order dated 08.04.2026 passed in CRMP No. 986 of 2026, and another co-accused, Tarak Ghosh, has been enlarged on bail vide order dated 09.04.2026 passed in MCRC No. 3228 of 2026 and other co-accused persons, namely, Amit Kumar Agrawal (MCRCA No.706/2026 decided on 08.05.2026), Amit Sharma (MCRCA No.707/2026 decided on 08.05.2026) and Abdul Salim (MCRCA No.619/2026) have already been granted benefit of anticipatory bail by this Court, on the ground of parity, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to get benefit of anticipatory bail. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that 4 in the event of arrest of the applicant – Ankit Sharma on executing a personal bond with 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 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 himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Saxena