1 2026:CGHC:24682 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5281 of 2026 1 - Roshan Ratre S/o Shri Malik Ram Ratre Aged About 21 Years R/o Bajranj Chowk Boriya Kala, Police Station- Mujgahan District- Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Kamal Jangde S/o Derharam Jangde Aged About 43 Years R/o Satnami Para, Police Station- Kurud, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) ... Applicants versus State of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station- Civil Lines Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicants : Mr. Anmol Gupta, Advocate For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Shaleen Singh Baghel, Govt. Advocate Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 18.06.2026 1. The applicants have preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’), for grant of regular bail, as they have been arrested in connection with Crime No. 311/2025 registered at Police Station - Civil Lines Raipur, District- Raipur, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 303(2), 317(2) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the complainant lodged an FIR regarding the theft of his Activa scooter, which had been parked near the Collectorate Garden toilet. During investigation, the RAHUL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by RAHUL DEWANGAN 2 police of Police Station Civil Lines, Raipur intercepted the present applicants and, on the basis of their memorandum statements, it was allegedly revealed that they had been involved in theft of two- wheelers at various places for the last two years and had committed theft of about 36 two-wheelers. On the basis of the information so gathered and the recoveries effected during investigation, the present crime was registered against the applicants. Thereafter, they were arrested. Hence, this bail application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. It is contended that the FIR was lodged against unknown persons and the names of the applicants do not find place therein. He further submits that the prosecution case against the applicants is primarily based on their memorandum statements recorded during investigation, which by themselves have limited evidentiary value. It is argued that no direct evidence connects the applicants with the alleged offence and they have been implicated merely on suspicion. It is also submitted that the applicants have six criminal antecedents, which are explained in the bail application, are pending. It is further submitted that the applicants are in jail since 24.01.2026, the charge-sheet has already been filed, no further custodial interrogation is required, and the trial is likely to take some time for its conclusion. Therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the applicants. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel has vehemently opposed the bail application and submitted that the charge-sheet has been 3 submitted before the competent Court. He further submits that the applicants are involved in an organized series of vehicle thefts and, during investigation, their involvement in theft of several two- wheelers has surfaced. It is further submitted that, pursuant to the memorandum statements of the applicants, as many as 8 stolen Activa scooters have been recovered from the possession of Applicant No.1 and 2 stolen Activa scooters have been recovered from the possession of Applicant No.2, which lends substantial corroboration to the prosecution case. He further submits that both the applicants are habitual offenders and, apart from the present case, six other criminal cases of similar nature are pending against each of them, namely Crime Nos. 575/2025, 7/2026, 517/2025, 507/2025 and 499/2025 registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Raipur, and Crime No. 06/2026 registered at Police Station Gole Bazar, Raipur, under Sections 303(2), 317(2) and 3(5) of the BNS. Considering the recoveries effected, the criminal antecedents of the applicants and the seriousness of the allegations, it is prayed that the present applicants are not entitled for grant of regular bail in the present case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the nature and gravity of the allegations, the material collected during investigation, the memorandum statements of the applicants and the consequent recoveries, and the record reveals that 8 stolen Activa scooters have been recovered from the possession of Applicant No.1 and 2 stolen Activa scooters have 4 been recovered from the possession of Applicant No.2, which prima facie corroborates the prosecution case regarding their involvement in vehicle thefts. Further the fact that both the applicants are habitual offenders and, apart from the present case, six other criminal cases of similar nature are pending against each of them, namely Crime Nos. 575/2025, 7/2026, 517/2025, 507/2025 and 499/2025 registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Raipur, and Crime No. 06/2026 registered at Police Station Gole Bazar, Raipur, under Sections 303(2), 317(2) and 3(5) of the BNS. In view of the substantial recoveries made at the instance of the applicants, and their repeated involvement in offences of similar nature, this Court is of the opinion that it is not a fit case to enlarge the applicant on regular bail. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of applicants – Roshan Ratre and Kamal Jangde, involved in Crime No. 311/2025 registered at Police Station - Civil Lines Raipur, District- Raipur, (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 303(2), 317(2) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Rahul dewangan