1 2026:CGHC:23056 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 761 of 2026 1 - Prabhakar Vaishnav S/o Ramkhilawan Aged About 46 Years R/o Village Seepat, Police Station Seepat, District Bilaspur, C.G. ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Seepat, District Bilaspur, C.G. ... Respondent(s) For Applicant(s) : Mr. Neeraj Sharma, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. 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.200/2026 registered at Police Station – Seepat, District Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Section 316(5) & 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. ABHIGYA SAXENA Digitally signed by ABHIGYA SAXENA 2 2. The case of the prosecution, is that in compliance of memo dated 03/04/2026 issued by office of Collector (Food), District Bilaspur, a written report lodged by Branch Manager, District Cooperative Central Bank, Branch Seepat on 07/04/2026 alleging that a team was constituted and on 30/03/2026 physical inspection was carried out at Paddy Procurement Center, Seepat, (Seva Sahkari Samiti Maryadit, Seepat) Registration No.26, in which shortage of 420.39 quintal of paddy and shortage of 5045 old gunny bag found, as such the accused persons committed embezzlement of Rs. 14,66,000/- and the shortage so found is in violation of direction issued for purchase of Kharif paddy for the year 2025-26 and named FIR registered against five accused persons including applicant who is a Computer Operator. The other four accused persons are in-charge Branch Manager/Amit Verma, authorized officer President/Smt. Tulsi Devi Kaushik, in-charge Paddy Purchase/Prabhakar Vaishnav and in-charge Gunny Bag/Jagannath Kaushik. Hence, this application. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case and there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has not been filed in this case and the co-accused persons have been granted regular bails and anticipatory bail by this Court vide orders dated 28.04.2026, 04.05.2026, 01.05.2026 and 28.04.2026 passed in MCRC No.3853/2026, MCRC No.4040/2026, MCRC 3 No.4016/2026 and in MCRCA No.626/2026 respectively. The charge-sheet has not been filed, the trial is likely to take quite long time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the application for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant and submits that the anticipatory bail which has been granted by this Court is of a lady whereas other co-accused persons have granted benefit of regular bail, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail. 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 of allegations levelled against the applicant, the absence of any criminal antecedents, and further considering that the co-accused persons have already been granted regular bail and anticipatory bail by this Court vide orders dated 28.04.2026, 04.05.2026, 01.05.2026 and 28.04.2026 passed in MCRC No.3853/2026, MCRC No.4040/2026, MCRC No.4016/2026 and MCRCA No.626/2026 respectively. Moreover, the charge-sheet has not yet been filed and the trial is likely to take considerable time for its conclusion. Therefore, without commenting on the merits of the case, the application is allowed. this Court is of the view that the present applicant is also entitled to the benefit of anticipatory bail on the ground of parity. 4 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Prabhakar Vaishnav 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