1 2026:CGHC:23057 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 760 of 2026 1 - Sohadra Bai W/o Kumar Ram Thakur Aged About 58 Years R/o Village Bhadarasi, P.S. And Tahsil Bagbahara, Dist- Mahasamund C.G. ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station City Kotwali, District Raigarh C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Divyansh Shukla, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Saumya Rai, Dy. G.A. 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 her arrest in connection with Crime No.186/2026 registered at Police Station – City Kotwali, District Raigarh (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 318(4) & 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the accused, namely Sohadra Bai, in connivance with her husband Kumar Ram Thakur and Choice Centre operator Mukesh Kumar Sahu, falsely projected themselves as close relatives of certain Ministers and represented that they possessed influence and connections within ABHIGYA SAXENA Digitally signed by ABHIGYA SAXENA 2 the Ministry. On the basis of such false representations, they allegedly induced various job seekers and other persons to part with substantial amounts of money on the assurance of securing appointments to the post of Data Entry Operator in the Ministry. It is alleged that an amount of Rs. 9,92,000/- was received through PhonePe transactions and a further sum of Rs. 12,77,100/- was collected in cash, totaling Rs. 22,70,000/-. The present case came to be registered against the applicant primarily on the basis of the memorandum statement of the co-accused recorded during investigation. 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 there being any cogent material connecting her with the alleged offence. It is further contended that the applicant is a 58- year-old lady and a housewife, who was wholly unaware of the alleged acts of her husband in obtaining money from various persons on the pretext of providing employment. It is submitted that no amount has been recovered or seized from the possession of the present applicant. Counsel further submits that, except for the alleged criminal antecedents, there is no substantive material to establish the involvement of the applicant in the commission of the alleged offence. Hence, it is prayed that the applicant be extended the benefit of anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the application for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 3 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, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the applicant, and particularly the fact that the applicant is a 58-year-old lady and a housewife. The husband of the applicant, namely Kumar Ram Thakur, along with other co-accused persons, has been specifically named in the FIR and is alleged to have collected money from various persons, including the complainant, on the pretext of securing employment to the post of Data Entry Operator. So far as the present applicant is concerned, there is no material available on record to indicate that she was aware of such alleged facts, nor has any amount been shown to have been transferred to or recovered from her account or possession. Moreover, the role attributed to the present applicant stands on a different footing and is clearly distinguishable from that of her husband and the other co-accused persons. Therefore, in view of the overall facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that the applicant is entitled to be enlarged on anticipatory bail. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Sohadra Bai 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 4 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