1 2026:CGHC:25491 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 916 of 2026 Smt. Manjulata Padhi W/o Dipendra Padhi Aged About 50 Years R/o 27 Kholi, Vikash Nagar Bilaspur Tahsil And District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Civil Line, District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Amit Kumar, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Monika Thakur, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 22.06.2026 1. This anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 456/2026 registered at Police Station – Civil Line, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 211, 34, 467, 468, 120B and 201 of the IPC. 2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that the accused namely Dipendra Padhi and other co-accused namely Kusumakar Rao Bhosle, they had demanded loan money from the complainant and complainant given VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.06.23 11:27:03 +0530 2 loan amount of rupees 20,00,000/- (twenty lakhs rupees) on 15.07.2017 after that both the accused executed agreement from complainant on 18.07.2017, thereafter business purposes and on 24.01.2018, because due to the friendly relationship the with both the accused demanded for extra loan amount of Rs. 1 crore from the complainant in cash. After that, complainant requested from both the accused to execute new agreement for the given loan amount but both the accused saying that, they had to go Raipur immediately therefore they made a correction in the old agreement and singed upon it, mentioning that the amount was taken as loan. Thereafter from the year 2021 to 2022 they demanded for more loan amount from the complainant which all sums to the exact amount of rupees Rs.3,15,00,000/- and they executed another last agreement in Raipur on 03.07.2024 and as well the both the accused given the cheque to the complainant regarding the loan amount but the cheque was dishonored by the bank due to insufficient fund, thereafter complainant moved an written report before the concern police station as well as superintendent of police and concern police station close the complainant saying that, the case is of mutual transaction of money and civil in nature. Thereafter complainant moved an application u/s 175(3) of BNSS before the JMFC court Bilaspur for the registration of the FIR against the both the accused in the punishable offence u/s 420, 211 of IPC. Thereafter learned court below allow the application and passed an order on 01.04.2026 and directed to the concern police station to investigate the matter and registered the FIR against the both the accused and then concern police station registered the FIR against the both the accused u/s 420, 211 of IPC and after investigation they 3 added section 467, 468, 471, 120B, 201, 34 of IPC. Hence, this application. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that charge-sheet has already been filed against the other co-accused persons, including Dipendra Kusmakar Rao Bhosle and Dipendra Padhi, and co-accused Dipendra Padhi has already been granted bail by the Hon'ble High Court vide order dated 15.05.2026 passed in M.Cr.C. No. 4662/2026. It is also submitted that the applicant is neither a partner nor involved in the affairs of the firm 'R.K.B. Tech' and has been arrayed as an accused merely on account of her relationship with co-accused Dipendra Padhi, being his wife. The applicant is a housewife having no direct or indirect role in the alleged offences and enjoys a good reputation in society. It is further submitted that in the event of her arrest, she would suffer irreparable loss to her dignity, reputation, and social standing. Learned counsel further submits that the applicant is a permanent resident of the address mentioned in the cause title, possesses movable and immovable properties, and therefore there is no likelihood of her absconding or tampering with the prosecution evidence. The applicant is ready and willing to furnish adequate surety and to abide by all such terms and conditions as may be imposed by this Hon'ble Court. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the applicant is not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail in this case. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials 4 available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the applicant, and the fact that the applicant is the wife of co-accused Kusumakar Rao Bhosle, who has been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 16.06.2026 passed in MCRC No. 4663/2026, and that another co- accused, namely Dipendra Padhi, who is the husband of the applicant, has also been granted regular bail by this Court vide order dated 15.05.2026 passed in MCRC No. 4662/2026, this Court, at this stage and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, is of the view that the applicant deserves to be extended the benefit of anticipatory bail. 7. 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Smt. Manjulata Padhi, 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 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 her from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) The Applicant shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) The Applicant shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to her by the said Court till disposal of the trial. 5 (d)The Applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of her adhaar card alongwith a colored postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e)The Applicant shall not involve herself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) CHIEF JUSTICE vaibhav