1 2026:CGHC:21707 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 3186 of 2026 Ram Manikpuri S/o Late Babulal Manikpuri Aged About 26 Years R/o Near Mahamaya Mandir, Husaininagar, Ambikapur, District Sarguja (Cg) ...Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House OfÏcer, Police Of Police Station Lakhanpur, District- Sarguja (Cg) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Jitendra Shukla, Advocate For Non-applicant/ State : Mr. Saumya Rai, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 08.05.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No.63/2026 registered at Police Station Lakhanpur, ARPAN SRIVASTAVA Digitally signed by ARPAN SRIVASTAVA Date: 2026.05.11 17:37:25 +0530 2 District- Sarguja (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340(2), 338 Read with Section 3(5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on 06.02.2026, at Procurement Paddy Centre Jamgala, it was alleged that the owner of the vehicle, namely Happy Singh, along with the driver of the vehicle, namely Ram Manikpur (present applicant), had allegedly changed and afÏxed a false registration number bearing No. CG-07/BS-0366 on the vehicle and thereafter transported/loaded paddy by using the said vehicle. On the basis of the said allegations, the aforesaid crime was registered against the accused persons and, after completion of investigation, charge-sheet has been filed before the concerned Court. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that the applicant was merely working as a driver of the vehicle and no specific overt act has been attributed to him in the alleged offence. Even otherwise, the material collected during investigation does not prima facie establish the involvement of the applicant in the commission 3 of the alleged offence. The applicant is in judicial custody since 15.03.2026, there is no previous criminal antecedent against him, charge-sheet has already been filed, and the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion. Therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant. 4. Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant is involved in a serious offence relating to illegal transportation/procurement of paddy by using a vehicle bearing a manipulated registration number. It is further submitted that the applicant was the driver of the offending vehicle and was actively involved in the commission of the alleged offence along with the co-accused persons. The investigation has revealed prima facie material against the applicant and, considering the nature and gravity of the offence, he is not entitled to the benefit of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of allegations levelled against the applicant, the fact that the applicant was working merely as a driver of the vehicle, the period of detention since 15.03.2026, the fact that 4 charge-sheet has already been filed, and there being no previous criminal antecedents against the applicant, coupled with the likelihood that the trial may take considerable time for its conclusion, hence, I am inclined to allow the present bail application. 7. Let applicant, Ram Manikpuri, involved in Crime No.63/2026 registered at Police Station Lakhanpur, District- Sarguja (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340(2), 338 Read with Section 3(5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, be released on bail on his furnishing a 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 court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufÏcient cause, the trial court may proceed against them under Section 269 of 5 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 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 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 Section 209 of 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 sufÏcient 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. OfÏce 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 Arpan