1 2026:CGHC:24066 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4765 of 2026 Manish Khunte S/o- Harishankar Khunte Aged About 26 Years R/o- Village Ratan Mahka Police Chowki Kharsiya P.S. Kharsiya District- Raigarh (C.G.) (Wrogly Mentioned As Village Ratan) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh Through, P.S. Kharsiya District- Raigarh, C.G. ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. F.S. Khare, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Sameeksha Gupta, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 16.06.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 603/2025 registered at Police Station - Kharsiya, District - Raigarh (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 140(3), 309(4) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. As per the prosecution story, on 14.10.2025, the complainant, Manohar Chauhan, who was working as an Assistant HR at Arvind Engineering Works, was returning from duty near Kharsiya-Raigarh Chowk when he received a call from mobile number 8109806639. The caller identified himself as Manish Khunte and asked the complainant to meet him near PREETI KUMARI Digitally signed by PREETI KUMARI Date: 2026.06.17 14:25:21 +0530 2 the said Chowk. When the complainant reached the spot, he found a white Mahindra Bolero vehicle in which the accused persons were present. It is alleged that the complainant was forcibly pulled into the vehicle and taken to a forest area situated approximately 25–30 kilometres away. The accused persons were allegedly carrying a knife- like weapon, threatened the complainant, and demanded an amount of Rs.50,000/- as extortion. Upon the complainant's refusal, his mobile phone was allegedly snatched, and his Google Pay password was forcibly obtained. Thereafter, an amount of Rs.19,000/- was transferred from the complainant's bank account to the bank account of accused Manish Khunte. It is further alleged that the complainant was assaulted and threatened with dire consequences if he reported the incident to the police. Based on the report lodged by the complainant, an FIR has been registered at Police Station Kharsiya in Crime No. 603/2025 for offences punishable under Sections 140(3), 309(4), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the present applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the aforesaid case. It is further submitted that co-accused person, namely Ram Bihari has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 12.03.2026 passed in MCRC No. 1121/2026 and other two co-accused persons have been granted bail by the learned Trial Court. Further, the charge-sheet has been filed, the criminal antecedents of the applicant has been explained in paragraph No.4(a) of this bail application and he has been in custody since 28.11.2025. Therefore, it is submitted that the present applicant is also entitled to be released on regular bail on the ground of parity. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has been filed in the present case but 3 she could not dispute the fact that the co-accused persons have already been granted bail by this Court. She further submits that the criminal antecedents of the applicant has been explained in paragraph No.4(a) of this bail application. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegations and the material available on record, the fact that co-accused person, namely Ram Bihari has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 12.03.2026 passed in MCRC No. 1121/2026 and other two co-accused persons have been granted bail by the learned Trial Court, further, the charge-sheet has been filed, the criminal antecedents of the applicant has been explained in paragraph No.4(a) of this bail application and he has been in custody since 28.11.2025, therefore, this Court is of the view that the present applicant is entitled to be released on bail in this case on the ground of parity. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. 7. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed. Let the Applicant – Manish Khunte, involved in Crime No. 603/2025 registered at Police Station - Kharsiya, District - Raigarh (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 140(3), 309(4) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, be released on bail on his furnishing 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 she 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 4 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 her counsel. In case of her absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against her under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure her presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. 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 her, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the 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 sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against her in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. - Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Preeti