1 2026:CGHC:24799 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 882 of 2026 Mrs. Vidhi Soni W/o Mr. Sanjay Kumar Aged About 25 Years R/o Chikhli, Station Para Ward No. 08, Chouki Chouki, Rajnangaon, Tahsil And Dist. Rajnangaon (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer (S. H. O.), Police Station - Basantpur, Dist. Rajnandgaon - (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Vikas Upadhyay, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Nitansh Jaiswal, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 18.06.2026 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.184/2026 registered at Police Station – Basantpur, District. Rajnandgaon (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 316(3) the BNS. 2. The prosecution story in brief is that, the complainant allegedly entrusted one Verna Car bearing Registration No. CO-07-BL-4140 and VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.06.19 11:19:54 +0530 2 one R15 Motorcycle bearing Registration No. CO-08-AY-7565 to the applicant/accused on 05.02.2026 on a rental basis. It is alleged that the car was hired at the rate of Rs.2,000/- per day and the motorcycle at the rate of Rs.25,000/- per month. The prosecution alleges that after taking possession of the aforesaid vehicles on rent, the applicant failed to return them and absconded with the said vehicles. On the basis of the complaint lodged by the complainant, the aforesaid crime was registered against the applicant and the matter is presently under investigation. Upon receiving such complaint, F.I.R no. 184/2026 at P.S. Basantpur U/s 318(4), 316(3) of B.N.S was registered and Investigation is still undergoing whereas Chargesheet is not filed yet by the Investigating Agency. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is an innocent person and has been falsely implicated in the present case. The allegations levelled in the FIR are false, baseless, and motivated, and the applicant has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. It is further submitted that the dispute, if any, arises out of a contractual/commercial transaction relating to the hiring of vehicles and is predominantly civil in nature, for which the criminal machinery has been wrongly invoked. The essential ingredients of the alleged offences are not prima facie made out from the facts stated in the FIR. It is also submitted that all the seized vehicles have already been released to the complainant on Supurdnama during the course of investigation and, therefore, the subject matter of the dispute stands secured, rendering the custodial detention of the applicant wholly unnecessary. The applicant has never indulged in any act of threatening or influencing any person and there is no likelihood of 3 tampering with the prosecution evidence or influencing witnesses. On the contrary, the applicant undertakes to cooperate with the investigation and trial and to remain available as and when required by the prosecution or the Court. The applicant is a permanent resident of District Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), has deep roots in society, and there is no possibility of absconding or fleeing from the course of justice. The applicant is ready and willing to furnish adequate surety and undertakes to abide by all such terms and conditions as may be imposed by this Hon'ble Court while granting the benefit of bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the anticipatory bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the dispute, and the material available in the case diary, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits, I am 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 – Mrs. Vidhi Soni, on executing a personal bond and one local surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) she 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) she 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) she shall not involve herself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaibhav