1 2026:CGHC:24761 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR M.Cr.C(A) No.814 of 2026 Happy Singh S/o Gurumukh Singh Aged About 33 Years Occupation Business R/o Gudari Chowk Ward No.24, Church Road Ambikapur District Sarguja Chhattisgarh ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Police Station Lakhanpur District Sarguja Chhattisgarh ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Sanjay Agrawal, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. SS. Baghel, G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 18.06.2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Digitally signed by SISTLA NEELIMA VISHNU PRIYA Date: 2026.06.19 11:39:32 +0530 2 the Applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.63/2026 registered at Police Station – Lakhanpur, Sarguja (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340(2) and 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 2. Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that Food Inspector Satpal Singh Kanwar lodged an FIR on 14.03.2026 alleging that pursuant to a complaint received on 06.02.2026 at Procurement Paddy Centre, Jamgala, the present Applicant and co-accused had affixed a false registration plate bearing No. CG-07/BS-0366 on a vehicle being used on hire and had transported paddy using the said vehicle. During the ensuing inquiry, co-accused Ram Manikpuri, who was present at the spot, stated that the vehicle belonged to the present Applicant. It is alleged that as the relevant vehicle documents could not be produced, the present crime came to be registered against the Applicant. However, at the time of inspection, no paddy or any other incriminating material was found in the vehicle and the same was found empty. Based on these allegations, the offences as mentioned above have been registered against the present Applicant. Hence, this application. 3. Learned counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present 3 case. It is submitted that the alleged incident is of 06.02.2026, whereas the FIR was lodged on 14.03.2026 after an unexplained delay, no incriminating article or paddy was seized from the vehicle, which was found empty at the time of inspection and the vehicle admittedly belongs to the Applicant and no material has been brought on record to explain why he would manipulate its registration number. He further submits that even if the allegations are taken at their face value, they may at best attract provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and the essential ingredients of offences under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 338 and 340(2) of the BNS are not made out. It is also submitted that the alleged forged documents were recovered from the co-accused, who has already been granted bail by this Court in M.Cr.C. No. 3186/2026 vide order dated 05.08.2026 and prays that the present Applicant be granted the benefit of anticipatory bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel opposes the grant of anticipatory bail to the Applicant. 5. Considering the facts and material available in the case diary and the submissions advanced by learned Counsel for the parties, this Court finds that the alleged incident is stated to have occurred on 06.02.2026, whereas the FIR came to be lodged on 14.03.2026. It is also noticeable that no paddy or 4 any other incriminating material was found in the vehicle at the time of inspection and the vehicle was found empty. The allegation against the Applicant is primarily that a false registration number plate was affixed on the vehicle belonging to him, however, the alleged forged documents have been recovered from the co-accused, who has already been granted bail by this Court. Further considering that there is no material on record to indicate that the Applicant is likely to abscond or tamper with the prosecution evidence, custodial interrogation of him does not appear necessary for the purpose of investigation, therefore, without further commenting anything on the merits of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that the Applicant is entitled to the benefit of anticipatory bail. 6. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the Applicant – Happy Singh, 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/s 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/her/them from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) The Applicant/s shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious 5 trial. (c) The Applicant/s shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him/her/them by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d)The Applicant/s and the surety shall submit a copy of his/her/their adhaar card along with a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e)The Applicant/s shall not involve himself/herself/themselves in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE Priya