1 2026:CGHC:24471 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 884 of 2026 Rajat Soni S/o Suresh Kumar Soni, Aged About 31 Years R/o Patnipura, Indore, District- Indore (M.P.) ... Applicant versus The State of Chhattisgarh Through The Station House Officer, Police Station Government Railway Police Bhilai, District- Durg (C.G.) (As Per F I R) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Punit Ruparel, Advocate. For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Shubham Bajpai, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 17.06.2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 62/2026 registered at Police Station – Government Railway Police, Bhilai, District – Durg (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 132 and 221 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The brief facts of the case are that the complainant, namely Lukesh Kumar Ratre, lodged a report stating that while he was working as a Sorting Assistant at R.M.S., Durg Rail Postal Service, on 25.07.2025, and was on duty at the R.M.S. Counter, he was booking article mails ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.06.18 17:59:15 +0530 2 within the stipulated time. During that period, an unknown person pressured him to book certain mails, which led to an argument between them. Thereafter, the complainant informed the Set In-charge about the said incident, who intervened and resolved the dispute. However, while proceeding further, the said person allegedly grabbed the complainant’s clothes, snatched his mobile phone, and, with the assistance of his female companion, took away a tray containing articles filled with government letters that had already been booked at the counter, thereby obstructing government work. It is further alleged that, on the basis of the written complaint, details of the Aadhaar Card of the suspected person were obtained from the R.M.S. Office. The mobile number linked with the said Aadhaar Card was contacted and was found to belong to the present applicant/accused, Rajat Soni. On the basis of the aforesaid allegations, the present FIR has been registered against the applicant. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He argues that the alleged incident took place on 25.07.2025, whereas the FIR was registered on 30.07.2025. Further, the maximum punishment prescribed under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 is imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. It is alleged that the applicant pressured the complainant, a government servant, to book an article after the prescribed booking time had elapsed, due to which a quarrel ensued between them. It is further alleged that the applicant interfered with and obstructed government work, and on the basis of these allegations, the aforesaid FIR has been registered. He submits that the FIR was initially registered against an unknown person. Therefore, the applicant was not aware of the registration of the FIR against him. It was only when a notice was issued to him by the police that he came to 3 know about the registration of the FIR. Hence, it cannot be said that the applicant has approached this Hon’ble Court at a belated stage. He submits that the police obtained the Aadhaar Card details of the applicant, and through the mobile number linked with the said Aadhaar Card, the applicant has been implicated as an accused in the present crime. He further submits that the Railway Police also examined the CCTV footage, and after obtaining the mobile number linked with the Aadhaar Card, they concluded that the applicant was the person involved in the alleged offence. He also submits that the present applicant has no criminal antecedents except the present, therefore, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel, appearing for the non - applicant/State, opposes the bail application of the present applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the applicant, the nature of the allegations, the fact that the FIR was lodged after a delay of five days and was initially registered against an unknown person, and further considering that the applicant has no criminal antecedents, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the present applicant. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Rajat Soni, on executing a personal bond and one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he 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. 4 (b) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he 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 his adhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Abhishek