1 2026:CGHC:22310 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 729 of 2026 Dayaram Chouhan S/o Premsingh Chouhan Aged About 36 Years R/o Village Bicchinara, P.S. And Tahsil Gharghoda, Distt. Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through The S.H.O. Of The Police Station Gharghoda, District – Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Abhishek Saraf, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 12.05.2026 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. 136/2026 registered at Police Station – Gharghoda, District – Raigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 132, 190, 191(1), 191(2), 221, 296 and 351(3) of the BNS. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that On 18-04-2026, a report has been lodged by the Complainant Vijay Kumar Minj at the Police Station Gharghoda against the applicant Dayaram Chauhan and others to the effect that, on 13-04- 2026, he and one Subhash Kumar Karsh, a forest guard working under him, during the tour, around 3:00 pm, he observed that several villagers from compartment number 1348 PF (village Bichhinara) were clearing forest land with a JCB and destroying trees and plants, intending to encroach upon it. Upon RAJSHEKHAR SONI Digitally signed by RAJSHEKHAR SONI 2 inquiry the villagers replied that the NTPC has acquired their lands and would the villagers live, and they would built their own houses on the said land. When the Complainant objected, they began abusing him, threatening to kill him, and began chasing him with sticks and rods. The applicant, Dayaram Chauhan, was holding an iron rod and other long rods and drove the JCB away. If he had not fled from the spot, the said persons would have caused an unpleasant incident. On the basis of the said complaint, the Police registered the crime against the applicant and co-accused persons. Hence, this application. 3. It has been argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. It is submitted that there is only one criminal antecedent of the applicant under the IPC, and bail application of the co-accused has already been allowed by this Court vide order dated 11.05.2026 passed in MCRCA No.715/2026. Therefore, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant is not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail in this case. 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 leveled against the applicant, and the fact that there is only one criminal antecedent of the applicant under the IPC, and bail application of the co-accused has already been allowed by this 3 Court vide order dated 11.05.2026 passed in MCRCA No.715/2026, at this stage without expressing any opinion on merits, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be granted anticipatory bail in this case. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Dayaram Chouhan 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 themself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Rajshekhar