1 2026:CGHC:22315 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 722 of 2026 Gopal Ratre S/o Samaru Ratre Aged About 37 Years R/o Vill.- Firgi, O.P. Bundeli, P.S.- Tendukona, Distt.- Mahasamund (C.G.) ... Appellant(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer P.S.- Tendukona, Distt.- Mahasamund (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Appellant(s) : Mr. Anchal Kumar Matre, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Shubham Bajpaee, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 12.05.2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 40/2026 registered at Police Station – Tendukona, Distt.- Mahasamund (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 4, 6 and 10 of the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.05.13 11:12:32 +0530 2 Preservation Act, 2004. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that on 16.04.2026, Police Station Tendukona received information that 3-4 persons, including the present applicant, were allegedly taking about 45 bulls on foot towards Odisha for the purpose of slaughter and were allegedly subjecting the animals to cruelty by beating them on the way. Acting on the said information, police reached the spot, where some co-accused persons were apprehended, whereas the present applicant allegedly fled from the spot. On the basis of such allegation, the applicant has been implicated in the present case. Hence this present bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is submitted that the applicant was not transporting the bulls in any cruel or illegal manner and was only taking his own cattle on foot in the usual course, being a poor farmer, without any intention of slaughter. It is further submitted that the learned trial Court has already granted regular bail to the co-accused persons, namely Dilharan Miri vide order dated 22.04.2026 passed in B.P. No. 401/2026, and to Samaru Rohidas and Tikeshwar Ajgar vide order dated 25.04.2026 passed in B.P. No. 415/2026 hence, the present applicant is also entitled to the benefit of parity. It is also submitted that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and has been implicated only on the basis of suspicion, therefore, prays for grant of bail. 3 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, opposes the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicants, but could not dispute the fact that co-accused persons, namely Dilharan Miri vide order dated 22.04.2026 passed in B.P. No. 401/2026, and to Samaru Rohidas and Tikeshwar Ajgar vide order dated 25.04.2026 passed in B.P. No. 415/2026 have already been granted bail by the learned trial Court and the case of the present applicant stands on identical footing. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents taken on record. 6. Considering the facts & circumstances of the case, submissions of learned counsel for the parties, nature of dispute and material available in case diary, and further the fact that co-accused persons, namely Dilharan Miri vide order dated 22.04.2026 passed in B.P. No. 401/2026, and to Samaru Rohidas and Tikeshwar Ajgar vide order dated 25.04.2026 passed in B.P. No. 415/2026 have already been granted bail by the learned trial Court, copies of which are attached with the bail application and the case of the present applicant stands on identical footing, as such, without further commenting anything on merits, this Court deems it fit to grant benefit of anticipatory bail to the applicant on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Gopal Ratre, on executing 4 a personal bond with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, they shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) He should 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 should not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) They should 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 sureties 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) He should not involve themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Abhishek